Perhaps it is the years of hardship and constantly hectic lifestyle, to be ever so ready to wake up in the middle of the night for an urgent visit to the hospital, or rush to work as soon as the school is over, but Nijimura concludes that he is simply not cut out for peaceful days of doing… nothing.

It has only been two weeks since they've been back to Japan and he is already dreadfully bored. Akashi has become busy as soon as they have returned; something about a project he was assigned as an intern in their company headquarters in Tokyo. Nijimura thought that he could spend his days with family, but it turns out when you have lived apart from your family for years and gotten used to your own place and rules (and boyfriend), it is not that easy to adjust back to the familial home. In fact, he throws in the towel after only five days. His siblings are irritatingly intrusive and bicker too much, his mother's thoughtful but unnecessary care (why would she check on him at night and urge him to "go to bed already"? For God's sake, he is not twelve) – they all manage to exasperate him. He has always regarded himself as an adult but he truly understands that he has indeed become an adult.

"Don't forget the summer festival," his sister reminds as he is getting ready to leave. After spending years abroad, his sister is especially fond of the festivals back home in Japan; she loves to attend at least one summer festival every year. Nijimura often grumbled about it in the past, babysitting his siblings is something he is used to doing but not necessarily something he enjoys. However, when he steals a glance at his sister now, he realises rather painfully that perhaps this will be the last year she asks him to go with her. It is even a wonder that she asked this year; after all… she is at that age. 'That age' when one is more interested in getting a lover and hanging around with them, instead of their older brother. She will soon fall for a boy and let him to take her places, for sure, and Nijimura will never have the chance at this innocent fun again. Not in this way at least. He chuckles to himself, because if Akashi heard him, he would probably first reprimand; "Why do you say a 'boy'? Perhaps she'll find a girl."

He wouldn't mind on his part, as long as they take good care of her. Actually, now that he thinks about it the idea of a girlfriend for his sister sounds even better than a boyfriend… He does not have a good opinion of teenage boys; he would know, for he was one once, and he even led a group of them once… It's probably very selfish but he hopes his brother is straight. Once the secret is revealed, his mother will surely be bummed about not carrying on the family name or having a bride and so forth; all meaningless things in his humble opinion but things she would care about, the people would care about. Hence having at least one son who could satisfy her expectations on those aspects… It would be good, Nijimura likes to think. It would lessen the tension of coming out to them. Not that he is planning to any time soon… Or perhaps even ever.

He sends Akashi a message, always mindful of calling him during business hours – Akashi is not even a full time employee of the company, yet they are already like this, Nijimura cannot even imagine how it will be when Akashi officially starts his career. Though, in a sense, Akashi's career started the moment he was born.

Akashi informs him that he won't be back till late night; he took on extra work apparently. "Since you told me you would spend the weekend with your family as well," Akashi notes, "but I will try to come as soon as I can…"

Nijimura does not even think of making a stop at his own apartment; he has more than enough clothes at Akashi's place by now and it is only natural for him to return there – after all, that was where he left from too, Monday morning; he kissed Akashi 'good bye' and left for the train. As expected, the night-time comes, but not his lover. Nijimura cooks a light dinner for himself, the portion is deliberately a little large so that there are some leftovers, which he carefully wraps and puts in the fridge. He scribbles onto the little notepad on the fridge that there is food "if you're hungry" and then goes to bed.

He is not sure what time it is when Akashi is back, but it must be very late because he is sure he has fallen asleep at least hours ago. The tiny sounds of his lover stripping down for bed wake him up but only partially. Soon he can feel the warm body snuggling into the bed, crawling near him; not so close but not so far, just the right few centimetres between them in the hot night of August. He is still very much in daze but it is intentional when he wraps his arm around Akashi, who leans into the touch.

"I'm home," Akashi mumbles.

A lazy smile climbs on Nijimura's lips, "Welcome back home," he replies.

.

.

.

.

"My sister says hi…"

Nijimura plops himself on the sofa unceremoniously as Akashi raises an eyebrow,

"You told him we were together?"

"Well she apparently heard you talk when you received that phone call from work."

"I wasn't talking loudly… and you were on the other side of the room."

"Yeah, she just has… really good ears. I guess. She asked if I was alone and I said I was at your place and we were about to watch a film."

"Okay."

"Okay."

They both stare to the empty room for a few seconds before Akashi adjusts his dishevelled shirt and Nijimura sighs,

"I actually… don't really feel like making out anymore."

"Me neither. It was interrupted rather distastefully, wasn't it? Also, I was informed I am needed early in the office tomorrow, so I cannot stay late tonight or be fatigued for tomorrow."

"Got it. Wanna watch a film?"

Akashi chuckles at the offer and Nijimura rolls his eyes, "C'mon Sei…"

"Are you perhaps trying so that what you told your sister is not a lie?"

"I had not even thought of that… It just reminded me that we could watch a film, especially if we're not going to… y'know."

"I know what?"

"If we're not going to have sex. There, I said it. Happy? For a polite kouhai you're sometimes incredibly crude about things."

"I'm sorry; it is just too much fun to tease you."

Nijimura gapes at him in mock horror and shakes his head disapprovingly; "Fine, just for that we're watching the stupidest action flick I can manage to find."

Akashi snickers and reclines more comfortably on the sofa, resting his head back and gazing at the ceiling while Nijimura tries to find a film that will be torturous enough for the redhead.

"Sei…"

"Yes?"

"Do you have plans for the weekend?"

"No? But aren't you taking your sister and brother to the festival?"

"Yeah, about that… Want to come too?"

Akashi lifts his face to give a puzzled look at Nijimura,

"Where did that come from?"

"When was the last time you went to a festival?"

"Second year of high school."

"Did you go alone?"

"I wanted to, but Reo didn't let me be. They stuck to me pretty much all night."

Nijimura first makes a soured face, his lips pursing and eyebrows furrowing, then a "tch" is heard and he snorts; "That's so like them…"

"It is indeed and this… is not very like you."

"Why?"

"Your siblings will be there…"

"So?"

"Do you honestly want my presence there while you are with them? I thought you would find it troublesome… and risky."

"Oh it will be risky for sure…"

"But?"

"Huh?"

"There must be a 'but' if you asked me out. You can be impulsive but you are not thoughtless or carefree…"

Nijimura sighs as he reclines on the sofa too and turns to face Akashi, his gaze lingers as if to commit every inch of its target into memory… His lips curve up slightly then,

"But I thought it would be fun and that you'd like it… going to festival that is."

And he would like it. There is no question of that – Akashi has always loved this particular brand of traditional celebration, from the silliest games to the most banal and unhealthy food, he is too dearly fond of it. There is no reason for him to reject and every reason to accept, and 'risks'? He certainly could manage it.

He nods as he lifts his body and moves on the sofa towards Nijimura, who looks at him with focused eyes and slightly parted lips, the only hint of the rising anticipation. Akashi wraps his arms around Nijimura's neck and securely lets himself onto his lap, and after staring into his lover's cloudy eyes he leans in to close the miniscule distance between them and brings their lips together. It is a soft kiss, too chaste and sweet unlike what their heated bodies and hazy eyes suggest. Akashi lines his forehead with Nijimura's after the short, shared flutter of their lips.

"Yes, I think I'd like to come…"

"If you're gonna be like this every time, maybe I should invite you out more often." Nijimura shrugs, causing Akashi to snort silently. His hands become restless, one starts to draw tiny shapes on Nijimura's nape the other moving up and sinking into the inky locks, combing the hair on the back of his lover's head.

"Shūzō…"

"Hmm?"

"I think if we take it slow and light and if I set up a second alarm, I could still wake up without trouble in the morning."

"Oh well then as you wish 'young master'…" Nijimura murmurs as he closes in for another kiss; this time their lips move with fervour and there is nothing chaste about it.

.

.

.

.

"Sei…"

Akashi smiles knowingly towards the bedroom, not moving an inch, though he knows which problem has led to his name being shouted, he still asks out of politesse and self-satisfaction,

"Yes?"

"Can you come here? I need help with the obi…"

"Sure," he says; his grin taking a devilish turn as he enters the room to scrutinise the man in front of him pulling at ends of the garment uselessly, "though I cannot understand how you manage to fail at this."

Nijimura glares, "You know what? Maybe I should just go with normal clothes."

"These are 'normal' too," Akashi chides as if teaching manners to a child. He struts to his lover and disentangles the calloused hands from their rebellious grip on the cloth, "and it looks really good on you."

"It's not even properly on me technically…" Nijimura tries to deflect, a blush creeping up his bare neck and his eyes cowardly looking at an empty spot on the wall far away from Akashi's face. Akashi finds the unwarranted timidity rather charming but focuses on the job at hand; though he prefers to be fashionably late to most his outings, he wouldn't want to make Nijimura siblings wait.

His hands smooth out the garment before starting to gingerly wrap as Nijimura's gaze falls onto his hands' actions as well. In less than ten seconds, it's good to go.

"How did you do that?!"

"It's not that hard actually… I showed you the video?"

"How do you even learn things from Youtube videos…?"

"I didn't learn it myself from the video; I just showed it to you for your ease. I learnt it from my caretaker, when I was young."

"'When you were young'; God, Sei, do tell me how old are you now?"

"I am not sure; sometimes I feel like I'm at least eighty…"

Nijimura sniggers but his eyes glare in pseudo-scolding,

"I'm not into old men okay? So stop saying stuff like that."

"Oh… so you are into young ones? I should have realised."

"What?! No—I mean— Can we just leave?"

"Now that your epic battle with the obi is over, yes, I think we can."

Nijimura's groan of displeasure only seems to entertain Akashi more as he walks pompously out of the room, his tall boyfriend on his tail. The drive to their meeting point is mostly silent with said boyfriend scowling, grumpily watching the lively city flash by as if he is staring down an opponent. At one point Akashi chides him about how they should have picked the kids from Kanagawa, which he harshly refuses once again: "they are not so small anymore and should not be coddled," apparently. Akashi internally snickers because despite wishing and thinking so, the older brother is a true mother hen to his younger siblings, often acting overprotective himself. They arrive three minutes earlier than the time of meeting but having to park the car somewhere a bit far from their meeting point takes away the lead they have and they end up there two minutes late. It is all right though for it takes a whole ten minutes for Nijimura siblings to arrive. Akashi is the one who spots them from metres away; Ayane is impeccably dressed, walking hurriedly while apparently scolding her brother who is sluggish.

"She looks lovely," Akashi comments but hears only a grunt in response. He chuckles at his lover's visible and very much audible sourness,

"You must be joking…"

"I cannot help it okay. She is just… so grown. When did that happen?! It's like yesterday when she was saying she wouldn't marry and instead look after me forever."

"And would you actually want that to happen?"

"Of course not! But I mean… What, next year comes, she won't even ask me to take her to the festival… She'll probably have 'someone else' to go with."

"Actually, I'm rather surprised even for this year… She's already mature enough to find someone she's interested in."

"Wow. Thank you for that swing, do you mind taking out the dagger from my back though? I wouldn't want my blood to spoil the yukata."

Akashi grins before making a gesture with his hand over Nijimura's back, as if pulling an imaginary object out, causing his lover to furrow his brows and deepen his frown,

"You just had to go that far huh?"

"Couldn't miss the opportunity, sorry."

"You're a devil Akashi Seijūrō. And you're getting worse every single day."

"Well you cannot say people have not warned you. You were heedless; so no complaining on the results of your own doing."

Nijimura loudly "tch"s then snorts, unable to keep his amusement hidden, as his siblings are closer his lips don a slight smile. Akashi appreciates the look then realises the surprise on Arata's and Ayane's faces.

"You didn't tell them…" he whispers, tone serious and no more joking. Nijimura is nonchalant in his answer though:

"There was no need to."

It is Ayane who exclaims first, "Wow Akashi-san is here too!"

"Yes," Akashi smiles politely, "I was rather cooped up at home and Nijimura-san was kind to invite me as well."

"It's like really really weird when you call him Nijimura-san, y'know," Arata adds, shrugging only to receive a not so light slap to his head, courtesy of his older brother.

"Shut up," Nijimura barks, his tone is a bit awkward. Akashi knows why and is internally pleased at ruffling his boyfriend's feathers at least; it's fair game for not letting him know that the siblings weren't aware of him spending the night alongside them. Let senpai be all bothered by the sudden reversion in the intimacy of words.

Ayane regards his brother's face closely for a second before smiling and turning to Akashi,

"Why don't you call him Shūzō though? At least when we are around so that there is no mix-up?"

Arata jumps in before the redhead can even open his mouth to respond,

"Nah, wouldn't it be more proper if he called aniki 'senpai' because aniki is technically his senpai…Though I guess," he titters for added effect, "nobody would even believe that if they talked to them together."

Akashi nods his head seemingly thoughtful and then turns to Nijimura and softly says,

"'Senpai'? Is that better, perhaps, Nijimura-san?"

The fact is: Akashi almost never calls him 'senpai'.

It is very rare and often either said with bitter sarcasm, drenched in scorn and deliberately insulting, or with sweet heat, dripping syrup and in between moans. It has been a long time since Akashi ever said it in the sense of the former, but not that long since the latter. In fact, exactly eight days according to Akashi's perfect memory. 'Senpai' is taken aback for a moment before letting out a huffing, which Arata cackles at, thinking his little joke has frustrated his brother; it is true in a way but not exactly in the way he thinks. Akashi feels the night will be quite entertaining when Nijimura the oldest starts loudly complaining about all of them and that maybe he should leave them all and go home by himself. Akashi calmly asks if he'd like the car's keys, Arata and Ayane burst in laughter and Nijimura exasperatedly begs;

"Do you have to join them?"

He does not have to, but it is fun.

"We're not here to discuss what to call me. Come on."

Nijimura leads the way and they all follow, Akashi asking Ayane how her summer has been, Arata talking about one of his friends with his older brother. After some bickering back and forth, Ayane comments,

"But you know, oniichan, I never thought you'd wear a yukata. How did you even get into it so neatly?"

"I can dress myself. How shocking, right?"

"I don't believe it. I mean just last year, didn't you wear one only because Ayane begged and then mum had to help you because at one point you were so mad you were about to rip the thing into shreds?"

"Hmmm…" Ayane glances at Akashi, "Could it be that Akashi-san perhaps helped you?"

"What?! Come on aniki! That's just shameful."

"Shut up. As if you put it on by yourself… I bet mum did."

"So what, I'm still young."

"Who was the one yelling about curfews and calling himself a 'young adult'?"

"Well yeah, the 'young' part being kinda the key, y'know."

Nijimura flicks his brother's forehead to the kid's horror and agony, Ayane giggles mischievously: "This useless brother of mine is causing you so much trouble Akashi-san… But you've done a stellar job! I'd be sad, if he came wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt."

"He almost did," Akashi admits with a smile.

Small talk. Usually Akashi is not dearly fond of it, but there is a charm to it when Nijimura siblings are involved, including his partner. Their bickering, cheeky name-calling, little details Akashi learns about Shūzō he probably could never learn otherwise… not any time soon at least. Like that one time he apparently stole a bicycle and rode it around the city when he was a child. It is hilarious and intriguing and Nijimura flushes deeply, obviously a bit ashamed but there is a hint of smug mischief in his eyes at having pulled such a stunt too; it's barely there, probably a flick of his subconscious. Akashi wonders if anyone could see it, or is he himself special for recognising such minuscule subtleties of Nijimura's demeanour?

After an hour of playing around and visiting stalls, they find a nice, relatively less crowded place with beautiful trees, overlooking the busy, colourful street. Akashi and Ayane stay there to keep the spot while Nijimura takes his brother with him to go get them something to eat.

"My brother…" Ayane starts but stops abruptly. It seems she is having a hard time with the words, for the first time since Akashi has met her. It is also the first time he is hearing her speak with such a serious tone; gone the playful tune of only minutes before. He realises, this is the beginning of an important conversation; draws his brows together and gives all his attention to her. Somewhere in his mind, he can see the various directions this conversation might take… some of them are not very nice.

"My brother seems tough but he can be awfully sensitive."

It is true.

"He thinks he can handle anything but he gets tired too… He is prone to see himself responsible for things and people he's not. He… he can be very self-sacrificing all the while thinking that he is being selfish."

She lets out a deep breath and stares right into his eyes. Such a brave girl, Akashi acknowledges once more. This fire in her eyes; fierce, unabashed, and protective—it reminds him of her older brother… Akashi cannot help but find it quite endearing. He is also acutely aware that he is expected to comment on Ayane's revelation, which is not much of a revelation for him.

Thus, "I know," he answers, simply. Because he knows. He knows how Nijimura Shūzō is.

"Good," she nods with a careful smile tugging on her lips, "then, Akashi-san, will you try your best to not hurt him and not let him be hurt?"

Oh, she is brave indeed, and cute.

He is ready to answer but she speaks again suddenly,

"It is just… Maybe it's not my place to say this… But even though you two seem to be very different, I think you are the closest he has been to anyone beside us. He… cherishes you, it's so obvious. I just want to make sure that it's mutual."

This is even more forthcoming than he could ever imagine it be; he is surprised and that is quite a feat for Nijimura Ayane to have achieved.

He smiles sweetly, sincerely; "Ayane, I do cherish him as well and I promise you that I will indeed try my best."

Her eyes gleam with a newfound glee and she giggles to herself, then exhales with relief.

"Thank God! I was afraid I was being stupid. Thanks for taking me seriously."

"Of course, I'll take you seriously. You are a serious lady and you are Nijimura-san's sister too."

She snickers, "It really feels weird when you say it like that since I'm technically a 'Nijimura-san' as well… Do you really call him 'Nijimura-san' when you two are alone?"

"There was a time I did."

Her cheeks redden and she pouts a bit,

"That's avoiding but now that I think about it maybe I don't want to know the answer…"

Akashi chuckles and she grins.

"Okay, wow, this makes me feel so much better. I shall rely on you to keep him happy. Please take good care of him."

"I will try my best."

"I'm sure that will be more than enough."

"Ayane?"

"Yes?"

"Have you told anyone about this?"

"Um… no? I thought I should not…"

"Yes, I agree. Not to Shūzō either, if you can, please. I think he might be uncomfortable and I'm sure he would prefer to tell you himself, at his own pace."

"You are awfully thoughtful about him Akashi-san…"

"He is even more so of me, but I try my best to return the consideration."

Ayane titters cheerfully; it is such a lovely sound. Akashi has to admit this girl is growing on him. She wraps her arm around his, timidly but she does, and she beams,

"No worries. I'll follow your advice."

"Thanks."

A few minutes later they are still in that position and talking about how the light pollution in the city makes it impossible to see the stars when Nijimura's loud "Oi!" is heard and they both turn their heads towards the source of the shout.

Nijimura is frowning in his now-classic way.

There are all kinds of various food items on his hands and he pushes them almost to Ayane's face;

"Eat up. I don't want to hear from mum anything about how I starved you guys or something…"

Ayane steals a glance at Akashi cheekily and grabs the food, untangling her left arm from Akashi's right one a little too slowly.

"Mm, you're not hitting on Akashi-san are you? I don't think he'd look at you."

Ayane and Shūzō stare in shock to the little brother who nonchalantly continues to stuff himself after his strange comment. Akashi finds both the accusation and the reaction it elicited rather amusing. Nijimura is about to yell the eardrums of his brother off, when Akashi intervenes,

"That's any interesting suggestion," he asks with fake curiosity, "why would you think that I wouldn't look at your dear sister? She is an amazing person."

Ayane blushes and softly chuckles at the comment whereas Nijimura is gaping at him, eyes widened in horror.

"You—" he grumbles but cannot finish his sentence because Arata chokes on the candies he's stuffed in his mouth, prompting the older brother to help him… rather violently so.

"You really would?" Arata yells in surprise to Akashi after swallowing the mouthful of sugary goodness and the question returns Shūzō himself back to giving a poisonous (and slightly hurt) look at Akashi.

This is too entertaining.

"I wouldn't, but not because she is unworthy. She is such a delightful person. Unfortunately though, I'm already seeing someone."

Arata chokes on his food once again and this time Shūzō is too busy staring at Akashi mesmerised to help his overtly clumsy brother; luckily Ayane takes over the job.

"Wow, Akashi-san, though I should've guessed that you would… You're all rich and good-looking." Arata confesses between coughs.

"Well, senpai has many fans too."

"What? Aniki? I don't believe that."

"My private life is nobody's business."

It is said with such finality and gravity, everyone present understands that jokes have to end. There is no venom in it though. Nijimura is not angered, but simply bothered and tired of the topic. Akashi smiles and lets it go; Ayane snakes her arm around his older brother's and thanks him for the food.

"Can I have some as well?" Akashi politely queries then and after staring at him absentmindedly for a second, Nijimura nods and offers.

Soon Arata is telling a story about a certain prank they pulled with their classmates on their Maths teacher, for which his older brother chastises him, then in his haste to reply with equal vigour Arata suffocates on his mouthful once more. It is really silly, over all, and too lively compared to Akashi's usual socialising. It is nice though, he finds; it is really nice.

He gazes into the night sky that is too light and bright; it would be beautiful if they could see the stars, indeed. Ayane's words come to his mind, the clumsy, naïve, so painfully earnest words of hers and he feels warmer inside and it has nothing to do with the sticky summer heat.

He thinks, perhaps they can go camping in a forest or something next summer, and watch the stars, together with Shūzō. It would be nice, he thinks; it would be really nice.