Chapter 3

The next morning, Masaki set out to find Hideo. It didn't matter that they'd been friends for two years now; Masaki wasn't going to let Hideo's jealousy land Kichijouji in the nurse's office again—or worse, in the emergency room.

He knew exactly where Hideo would be this early in the school day: the school's dojo. Hideo was a member of the kendo team, and they always practiced before school.

Hideo was at the outside trough, where all the students involved in athletics could stop to wash their hands or faces or even grab a quick drink of water. He wore his gi and hakama, but his helmet and padding had already been removed.

Hideo glanced up at Masaki, frowned, and turned to face him. That's when Masaki realized Hideo had a black eye.

Masaki stopped short. "What happened?"

Hideo's gaze slid away, and a miserable flush erupted across his face. "What do you think happened? That punk-ass Rokugo jumped me on the way to school this morning. Shit, man. What's up with you guys and protecting Kichijouji-kun?"

Masaki held up his hands. "It's not like we talked about it or anything. I had no idea Rokugo was going to do that." What is it with this guy? He's even poaching my revenge!

Hideo glared at Masaki. "Didn't you? He rushed right in and saved your cute little boyfriend yesterday. He walked him to the nurse's office. He didn't come back to class." He smirked. "Everyone knows Rokugo is gay." He tilted his head. "Maybe I'm not the one you oughta be beating up, huh?"

Masaki flushed. "Well, you didn't exactly come out innocent in this situation, did you? You tried to beat up Jouji and get away with it. You wanted to teach him a lesson. I thought I made it clear I'm not friends with bullies."

Hideo stared at Masaki.

And stared.

And stared.

His eyes were so wide it was nearly comical. Finally, he spoke. "Dude. You didn't—you didn't deny that Kichijouji is your boyfriend!"

Masaki almost fell over. "Why should I? You're not serious. You're just trying to make me mad." He made a fist jokingly. "You want me to give you another black eye to match the first one? You act like you want me to hate you now. That can't be true. We've been friends for too long."

Instead of tensing up more, Hideo relaxed, his shoulders dropping. "Oh. Man, don't scare me like that. I mean, yeah, I'm picking on you. But the way you've been acting around Kichijouji! Dude, that's not—that's not cool, you know? I mean, yeah, guys can marry guys and all. But you're the eldest son of one of the Ten Master Clans. And you're badass. And tough. And already have live combat experience. And—" He shook his head. "Sorry, man. You had me all freaked out that you might actually have a crush on this new guy. I should've known better."

Masaki felt the social pressure hit him squarely. Hideo's attitude was common to the point of being oppressive. But that wasn't the point here. "You didn't see him the day we found him." Masaki looked away and rubbed the back of his neck. "It was terrible. Everyone else was dead. He lost his parents, his house, and his school. The next day someone made him identify his parents' bodies. You're talking about not cool. That's what's not cool. It's a wonder he's not scared to go anywhere ever again." He met Hideo's gaze. "When we met, you didn't have any friends either. You should know what it's like for Jouji. He had to leave all his friends behind."

Hideo's head dropped. He stared at the ground. "Ah, man." His voice was quiet. "That's—yeah, that's really bad." For a long moment, he didn't say anything. "I'm sorry. I had no idea." He shook his head. "I mean, of course I had no idea. I should've asked or something." He dragged his head up. "I'll apologize to Kichijouji. But seriously, dude. Don't forget the friends you've already got."

"It's just his first week of school," Masaki said. Then he laughed. "Maybe I went a little overboard on you."

Hideo grinned. Then he reached out and popped Masaki's shoulder lightly. "Hey, man. I get that." He headed back into the dojo. "Even though I was picking on you, I'm serious about Rokugo. I think he wants to sweep Kichijouji off his feet, so tell him to keep up his guard." He flicked a wave at Masaki and bowed at the dojo door before entering.

Masaki flicked a wave back. You're not wrong. Irritation rose within him. That Rokugo! Beating up my friend before I can. How dare he? Who does he think he is? This was my problem to solve.

He walked away. And I could have done it without violence. All I really needed to do was talk to Hideo.

Masaki's group walked up to the roof for lunch, minus Hideo.

"Where is Hideo-kun?" Emi asked.

"I don't know," Masaki said. "Maybe he's not coming."

When they reached their spot, Hideo was already sitting there. He stood nervously.

Kichijouji braced himself, even though Masaki had indicated everything should be okay.

Hideo walk over to him. "Kichijouji, I'm sorry. I didn't understand."

Kichijouji looked up at Masaki, then at Hideo. Masaki had said he'd had A Talk with Hideo, but he hadn't gotten the details yet. "You're sorry for trying to flatten my face with a soccer ball?"

Hideo hung his head. "I thought you were seducing Masaki-kun and turning him gay."

Turning him gay? Kichijouji thought. How the hell would that be possible?

"I just wanted you to leave Masaki-kun alone," Hideo continued. "I'm sorry. I didn't know about your parents. Masaki-kun would have acted the same for any of us if that happened." He bowed.

Emi brought her fist down on the top of Hideo's head. "Idiot!"

She accidentally smashed Hideo's face into Kichijouji's bento. The bento box flew from Kichijouji's hands and burst open when it hit the roof. Pieces of maki sushi flew everywhere.

Emi gasped.

Hideo jerked upright. "Ow! What the fuck, Emi-chan? Now look what you did!"

Kichijouji stared at his ruined bento box for a moment. Then he glanced at Hideo. The accidental revenge tickled him. He smirked. Watching Hideo rub the back of his head and his nose at the same time made it even funnier. He ended up laughing.

Emi got down on her knees and did her best to scoop the ruined lunch back into the box. "I'm sorry! I'll give you part of my bento."

"I will, too," Masaki said.

"Me, too," Hideo said instantly.

"That won't be necessary," a smooth voice interjected before Kichijouji could respond. Kosuke glided up to them. He held a bento box tied shut with a pink ribbon. He balanced it on one finger, underneath the center of the ribbon, and held it out to Kichijouji. "I made you this." He smiled gently. "I might never have had the courage to give it to you were it not for this precipitous event." He bowed. "I hope you enjoy it."

Precipitous? Kichijouji thought, struck by the fancy vocabulary. Are you sure you're in junior high school? He was glad he was good at vocabulary lessons or he wouldn't have known the word. Seriously, is this guy for real?

Dutifully, Kichijouji accepted the box. It was blatant flirting. After all, making bento boxes was something that girlfriends generally did for boyfriends. But seeing as how he'd just lost his lunch, Kichijouji wasn't inclined to turn down the offer. Also, he wasn't sure he could bring himself to be rude. "Thank you." He bowed.

Kosuke gave Kichijouji a beaming smile. "No need to thank me. Just enjoy it." He walked off with a wave. "I'll see you later."

Kichijouji sat down with Masaki and his friends and opened the bento box. He stared at the offerings. "He made this?" It looked just as good as what a mother would offer after a decade's worth of practice. It contained neatly fashioned maki sushi, little hotdogs fashioned like squids, and rice balls decorated to look like bunny rabbits.

Emi let out a shriek. "It's perfect!"

Hideo wrapped his arms around himself and rubbed them. "Gross. Why didn't you tell this freak to get away from us, Masaki-kun?"

"What am I supposed to do about this?" Masaki protested. "Being nice isn't a good reason to beat someone up!"

Kichijouji, who had officially decided to rib and tease Hideo forever, offered him a sly smirk. "Well, at least I get a lunch, considering your nose ended up in the middle of mine and the birds are now eating it."

"Hey, it's not my fault! It was Emi-chan." Hideo turned red and shot a glare at Emi.

"I said I was sorry," Emi said.

Masaki realized he was staring at the perfect bento box with a feeling of distressed inadequacy. "Who is this guy, anyway?"

"Maybe it doesn't taste very good," Akio offered.

"Try it," Emi urged Kichijouji.

"All right." Kichijouji nabbed his chopsticks. "Itadakimasu." He took a bite of sushi. It was perfect. So perfect, in fact, that he was sure his expression said so.

Masaki wilted.

"Ooh, why can't a cute boy make me a bento?" Emi clenched her fists. "It's so unconventional, so romantic – "

"So gay!" Hideo yelled. He raked his hands through his hair. "I can't stand it! That guy!"

Kichijouji took a bite of the rice ball. It was the perfect mix of sweet and tart. It was all he could do to not make an "mmm" sound of taste bud pleasure. This is even better than Masaki's mom's, and that's saying something. Did he really make this all by himself?

"I heard Rokugo's mom is a professional chef, but I didn't believe it until now," Emi said. She practically sparkled. "To be this polished, he must've learned how to make everything when he was little."

Masaki groaned.

Kichijouji hid a smile by taking another bite of a rice ball. I wonder if Masaki will make me a bento box now. That would be romantic. I could try to make him one, too. He knew his would be ugly, but he felt confident he could make it taste good. Food is as much science as art. "Maybe so. Either way, no one had to sacrifice part of their lunch for me."

"Do you really feel okay eating that guy's bento?" Hideo asked. "He'll think you like him now."

Kichijouji narrowed his eyes at Hideo. It must be nice thinking it's so easy to turn down a bento. Girls will be shoving bento boxes at you all through junior high and high school. Probably college, too. You're handsome and athletic and a kendo champion. But boys like me still get picked on, even after all these years and the legalization of gay marriage in Japan. "If a nice girl walked up to you and offered you a bento after your lunch was ruined, would you look her in the face and flatly tell her no?"

Hideo blushed. "But she's a girl! There's a double standard. I'm not supposed to make her cry, am I?"

"If Yukiko-chan offered you a bento, you'd lap it up even if it tasted like sand," Emi teased.

Masaki snorted and burst out laughing. So did Akio.

"Hey," Hideo whined.

"Boys have feelings, too," Kichijouji said flatly. "Maybe instead of making fun of Rokugo, you should admire him for having the balls to be open about his preferences in a school of magicians' kids. He takes way more flak for it here than he would in a public school, but he's confident in who he is."

Masaki paled. I'm not confident in who I am? Then he reconsidered. Okay, so I'm not, at least not when it comes to dating. But is that a deal breaker? How many people can be like Kosuke?

"Then you do like Rokugo!" Emi squealed. She clapped her hands together.

"You damn yaoi fangirl," Hideo muttered. He crossed his arms over his chest. "It's all well and good if you're gay, Kichijouji. You aren't from one of the Ten Master Clans or Eighteen Assistant Houses."

"Gee, thanks." Kichijouji smirked. "But you know, Rokugo is from the Eighteen Assistant Houses. Or did you manage to forget that he's like you in that way?"

"I never said I approved of that guy being gay. I said it would be okay if you were." Hideo looked away with a scowl. "He's got no business flaunting it."

Masaki held in a sigh. "Well, it's none of our business. We don't know how his parents feel, either."

So now there's a double standard because my blood isn't as fancy as yours? Not that Kichijouji hadn't faced such discrimination before. It was one reason why he was determined to finish his parents' research. He was certain—dead certain—that he could discover one of the Cardinal Codes. They weren't just some frilly theory. They were fact. And he would prove it. Once he did that, not only would he advance the understanding of magical science and research, he would prove to the world that he and his family's lineage of scientists were worthy of respect.

In the meantime, he picked up a hotdog-squid and launched it in a beautiful arc. It poinked Hideo right on the nose. "Perfect form," he said—in English.

Hideo blinked and then laughed. "Okay, I was being an asshole. I didn't mean to imply that your blood is less important than mine. It's only – "

" – only your parents won't let you choose who to marry, will they, Hideo-kun?" Emi said. She ate a bite of her rice ball. "Even if Yukiko-chan throws herself into your arms, you can't pick her over the bride your parents already selected for you."

Hideo bowed his head.

Masaki was dismayed. "Nice going, Emi-chan. Now he'll be depressed for a whole day before he's back to himself."

Kichijouji relaxed again and finished his perfect bento box. His mind had already wandered off to the problem of the Cardinal Code. His parents' deaths had interrupted his work on it, but after three weeks of intense grief, he realized he wanted to return to working on it. It was the only link he had left to his previous life. Besides, he wanted to make his parents proud.

The problem of Kosuke's interpretation of Kichijouji's accepting his bento box faded to the back of his mind.

That evening, Kichijouji ate supper in a daze, his mind still churning over formulas and calculations. The rest of the day at school had been uneventful—except for the small, two-minute talk with Kosuke in which he assured him the bento box was good.

After supper, Kichijouji retired to his bedroom, where he poured over homework for two hours. It was difficult to work on his Cardinal Code project at home, but Mr. Ichijou was making arrangements for him to work as in intern at the Kanawaza Magic Research Institute. Not only would this provide Kichijouji with personal income, but also it would give him a chance to work using the institute's super computers. This meant more complex calculations and better 3D models.

He had finished up his math homework when a soft knock sounded on his door. "Come in," he called as he saved his homework to his tablet.

Masaki nervously slipped inside and shut the door. "Hey. Doing your homework?" He could already feel his elevated pulse in his neck. Don't screw this up.

Kichijouji glanced up and smiled. "Just finished." He stood. Oftentimes, they played video games in Masaki's room once they were both finished with homework.

Masaki rubbed the back of his neck and let out a little laugh. "What, really? I've still got some to go. Maybe you can help me with it. I'm a little stuck." He realized Kichijouji would happily help him, and then he would never get to talk about what he wanted to talk about. "Ah – but that's not why I'm here."

"Sure. I'll help." Kichijouji tilted his head. "But, okay. What is it?" He had the uneasy feeling that Masaki might be angry that he accepted the bento box from Kosuke. Granted, he and Masaki hadn't declared their feelings or kissed. But with all the hugs and embraces, Kichijouji had to assume that day was coming.

Masaki clasped his hands behind his back and turned away. "Oh, it's nothing. I mean, nothing for you to be worried about. It's not serious. No – well, it is, but –" The back of his neck broke a sweat. He turned back around. "Jouji, how do you feel about – Rokugo?" He froze. 'About Rokugo?' Where did that come from? That's not what I meant to ask!

Kichijouji blushed faintly. Is he jealous? "I don't feel anything special. He's nice. And he's trying to be my friend." He had to amend that. "Okay, he trying to be my boyfriend. But I'm not interested in him that way."

Masaki felt he could have fainted with relief. "You're not?"

"No." Kichijouji smiled up at Masaki. "Besides, I've only known him for one day." He paused, wondering if he should be more blunt. Kosuke was certainly more blunt. Kosuke would say, I'm already in love with you. Can we just stop hiding the fact we're boyfriends already? Or Kosuke would walk right up and kiss him, perhaps. Kichijouji, though, didn't have the previous experience Kosuke apparently had. And so he ended up remaining silent.

"I'd only known you for one day when I – " Masaki broke off, suddenly embarrassed and second-guessing himself. He looked at the floor.

Kichijouji felt internally scrambled. Damn! He took that the wrong way. He edged closer. "I know. You started taking care of me the moment you laid eyes on me. But that was different. You stayed by my side." He realized Kosuke had stayed by his side in the nurse's office and rushed to clarify. "For hours. All the rest of the day." He paused, stuck back in the moment where he was sure he was going to die, but instead Masaki showed up and offered him his hand. He stared at the middle of Masaki's chest. "You said we'd stick together forever."

Masaki caught Kichijouji up in his arms and hugged him tightly. "We will. I didn't mean that I didn't believe you about Rokugo. That would be rotten. I do believe you. I just –I'm trying to say –" He gave up and just held on.

Kichijouji could tell that they weren't quite communicating. He suspected they kept misinterpreting each other. But the moment Masaki hugged him, it ceased to matter to him. He ran his arms around Masaki's waist and embraced him just as tightly. It had been several days since they'd shared a hug—exactly four. He knew. He'd been counting. As a result, he pressed himself against Masaki's chest, tucking his head against his shoulder. Masaki gave good hugs, and Kichijouji never felt safer or happier than in Masaki's arms.

Masaki let out a sigh and stroked Kichijouji's back, still clinging to him. The tightness of Kichijouji's returning hug reassured him. "I'm always going to be here. I promise. And the Ichijou don't break their promises."

A tiny little sigh escaped Kichijouji at the feeling of Masaki's hand caressing his back. "I'll hold you to that." He smiled, although he knew Masaki couldn't see it. "And I believe you. I'll always be at your side, too."

"I'd like that," Masaki said softly. "I want you here. I – I've never felt this way before." He hugged Kichijouji with all his strength for a moment before going back to stroking Kichijouji's back. "You're different. It's different."

Kichijouji analyzed the words carefully, even as he continued to hug Masaki. He just said his feelings are different. I've been right all along. This is definitely romantic. He thought he saw why nothing else had occurred, though. He realizes it's different, but maybe he hasn't figured out what it means yet. Maybe he's confusing himself with his reactions. Does he even realize he has these preferences?

Based on the current evidence, Kichijouji assumed Masaki was bisexual. If he hasn't realized it yet, and if he doesn't understand his feelings for me yet, then I shouldn't push. If I do, I might scare him away.

Kichijouji decided that as long as he got lots of hugs in the meantime, he could wait. He lifted his head and smiled at Masaki. "I understand," he said, opting for generality. "I think you're special."

Masaki felt his smile stretch at Kichijouji's warm words and sweet smile. "You're special. I know you are. That's why I got so frustrated with Hideo-kun because he couldn't understand."

Kichijouji really wanted to cup Masaki's cheek or caress his face at the sight of that smile. "Thank you." He grinned. "You seem to have Hideo-kun under control now." He lifted and eyebrow. "Did you give him that black eye?"

Masaki frowned. "No. Rokugo did." He looked away. "I was thinking about it, but when I saw how Hideo-kun actually felt, all I had to do was talk to him. Rokugo would have known that if he had known Hideo-kun. He had no business roughing up my friend like that. Rokugo is interfering in everything."

Then he glanced at Kichijouji and grumbled, "I'll give it to that guy, though. Rokugo knows you're special, and he's not going to stop paying you all this attention. What I can't figure out is why Rokugo noticed you're special, and I know it, but no one else seems to know."

Kichijouji wondered if this might be more proof that that Masaki didn't understand his own romantic and sexual feelings. No one else knows because no one else has a crush on me. He smiled at Masaki. "It doesn't matter. If you know, then that's good enough for me." He lay his head against Masaki's shoulder again.

Masaki melted.