The Intimacy Institution

If any of you have actually stuck, then congratulations! Here's a new chapter for you! For any new readers, hello, and welcome to this roller-coaster of drama that is The Intimacy Institution. It's been almost a year since the last update, and I've many times tried to force myself to write, but I just couldn't remember anything. I didn't want to discontinue the story, so here it is. I can't promise a new chapter will come out soon, but since I know you guys love it, I will make an effort to write more. I'll have more time to anyways. So yes, enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 8

He woke up a bit before his alarm clock. Trying his best to forget the two by his door the day before, he would try to get into his daily rhythm again. But how could he even? So many things had happened…

He was still surprised, and secretly glad, that he got to see Clear's face. It was nothing like he'd imagined. Clear had talked about it like it was awful, maybe even scary, but it was pleasant. And then he'd kissed him. It was hard to admit, but it felt nice in a way. Maybe he was just lonelier than he'd first thought. He really needed a date…

He also thought hard about the two people in front of his door yesterday night. Did he know them? Why would they try to get into his room? Did they need to speak to him?

Aoba shook his head to forget about it; now wasn't the time. He needed to get ready for today's classes, and then find a girl, march up to her, and ask her if she wanted to do something later. Yes, that sounded like a good plan.

After a nice shower and getting dressed in the usual blue uniform, he left his room, on his way to the cafeteria. The days had begun to melt together, like he was stuck in the same routine: wake up, eat breakfast, go to a class, lunch, the next class, hang out in the entertainment room, dinner, sleep, all with Koujaku, Ren, Clear, and Sly. It might be nice with a change, and hanging out with a girl.

As usual, Koujaku waited for him at the cafeteria entrance. He smiled at him, and they went in together, finding a table large enough. Soon after their friends joined in as well, and all begun eating and talking as usual. Clear mentioned something about Naomi and the class from the day before, but said nothing of the kiss they shared. Phew.

Aoba couldn't help but look at Ren though. Ren was gay, right? His green uniform at least said so. How could he be sure though? He knew very well that you were born gay and didn't suddenly have a realization of it, but was it possible that he'd never thought about it? He couldn't decide if he found men or women most attractive, since it all seemed to blur together. He really needed a date.

As they got up to split for their classes, Aoba couldn't help but stare after Ren while he walked. Maybe Sly was right… Maybe you didn't have to be gay to recognize a good ass. He suddenly blushed hard and shook his head. He's my friend, I shouldn't look at him like that! he thought to himself, pushing away the imagination.

Their classes went on as usually, but now starting to prepare them more for finding a partner for the ball. Since the ball was a kind of exam, a chance for them to put some of the things they'd learned to use, Aoba thought it important to have not just a date, but the perfect date for this occasion. He listened more observantly than usually, trying to get tips. However, he noticed that the women around him all started getting invitations for the dance by others, and there didn't seem to be others left than a few guys and girls. He had to be quick.

The class finally ended, and Aoba had sit with his eyes on a girl in the back of the class with light brown hair and a pink bow over her ponytail. A real girly girl. Perfect. Aoba wasn't too nervous in asking her out, which he thought was unusual of him. He walked up as soon as others had left the class. She stood and packed her things together as he approached, smiling to him. "Oh, Aoba, right?" she asked him, and he nodded with a smile. "Yes, that's me. I was wondering if you wanted to go to the dance with me?" he quickly asked, scared to lose his courage again. She looked at him for a bit, before smiling and nodding. "Sure! It sounds fun." He smiled victoriously, and while he was brave, asked her out. She accepted, and the two left the classroom arm in arm. Yes!

The two went to the entertainment rooms together, and Aoba discreetly sent a message to Koujaku, saying he was sick and couldn't join them today, praying to the gods that they wouldn't find them there. Why couldn't he just tell them where he was? Was he embarrassed? No… It was a surprise, so he could show them his new girlfriend.

Aoba suggested a movie in the cinema, and they went into the dark room. He wasn't really sure what movie was on. He just wanted to hide…

They sat in the back of the room, and she looked to him with a smile, starting to talk. "I was surprised you asked me out. I didn't know you liked me. I'm really excited! You seem like such a nice guy…" she spoke, but Aoba didn't seem to listen, his thoughts elsewhere. I wish I could go here with Ren… as friends of course. He noticed his date was silent, waiting for him to answer, and he smiled and nodded quickly. "Yes, sure!" She lit up in a smile, and Aoba sighed relieved. It was the right answer it seemed…

The date went on, and they ended up with hands crossed together and with her head on his shoulder. He thought it was nice, very nice even. He was finally on a date, as he wanted to. But something still nagged him at the back of his head. He put his arm around her and pulled her closer, and she looked up at him with a sweet smile. She leaned up and kissed him gently, and Aoba seemed a bit surprised at first, before relaxing. Whatever, it's happened a million times now.

They held the kiss for a while before she pulled back, grinning a little. "That felt nice," she remarked, and he simply smiled in response. They sat through the rest of the film, Aoba not really following the story, before leaving the room as the film ended. The girl still held his hand, and he smiled at the pleasant feeling. "I promised to meet up with some of my friends, so I'll go for now. But I'll see you, Aoba!" she rejoiced, in the moment, reminding him a bit of Clear. "See you-" he started, but then realized: he didn't even know her name. He waved goodbye as she left, smiling awkwardly. That was pleasant! She's like a siste-…

He stopped the thought before it was even over. A sister? How could that be? They kissed and everything. Maybe not a sister, but a nice friend. He couldn't believe himself. A friend? But it had been a date! He invited her out himself! How could it have felt so friendly? It was like they'd been friends for ages, but lovers? There was no way… Then maybe there was something to it. He could be gay. The thought itself was crazy, but… with the evidence, not impossible. I need to talk to Koujaku… Alone.

He left the entertainment room and rushed down the halls, almost getting lost in the place he knew so well by now. He finally reached the hall of the straight route, knocking on Koujaku's door. It soon opened, and he stepped out, looking confused. "Aoba? I thought you were sick?" Aoba looked down in shame, mumbling. "I lied… But I need to tell you something important." Koujaku seemed a bit shocked at first, then shrugged, letting him inside the identical room. "You better have a good reason to have lied… we missed you!" Aoba went inside and sat on the bed, sighing and nodding.

"There is… I went on a date with a girl today." he mumbled. Koujaku looked at him for a bit, then lit up in a smile. "Really? That's great news! But why couldn't you tell us?" Aoba looked down and mumbled yet again, embarrassed to speak. "Because… I was a bit ashamed. I didn't really enjoy it that much. It might be because I don't know her well, but… I couldn't help but think that it wasn't a real date, just a get-together. I'm on this bi-route, but what if I'm actually bi for real?" he said worried, looking up at Koujaku, who stood shocked. "B-bi..?" Aoba nodded. "I've had so many guys kiss me, and it really sparked something in me that I never felt before! Embarrassment, sure, but… something else too. I kissed my date, and it just… was dull." Koujaku still stood frozen, looking at him confused.

"I thought that… you were straight..?" he mumbled. Aoba shrugged. "I'm not sure anymore… I should really test this out… What if I'm only confused, and it's nothing? I need to know." Koujaku huffed and looked down. "How are you gonna do that?" Surprised by his suddenly hostility, he crossed his arms. "I don't know… kissing guys I guess?"

Koujaku quickly looked up at him. "Aoba, are you serious? You're not just kidding? You're gay?" he asked, not seeming like himself anymore. Aoba tilted his head at this, nodding slowly. "Yes… If this is an Intimacy Institution, this is the best time to figure out if it's true, right? Just please don't tell the others, it's a secret between us…" Koujaku slowly nodded, looking down to his feet. "I hope you know what you're doing…"

Aoba left Koujaku's room, went to grab some quick dinner, and started going back to his own floor, seeming lost in thought. Gay, huh? Well, "half gay". Maybe the girl he had met just hadn't sparked his interest enough, although she was nice and pretty. She could literally have been his sister. Oh no, I'm doing it again!

When he thought about it though, there might not have ever been a spark with girls before. Sure, he'd had a few girlfriends before, but never anything serious, and he was never very interested in sex. Maybe that was why he was so shy about intimacy classes here. He wished strongly that he had someone to talk to about this, but they all seemed so scary to talk to about such a thing. Koujaku had been in shock, so he was definitely out of the question. He wasn't exactly in the mood for Clear's excitement and Sly's mocking comments either, so they were out as well. Maybe Ren?

Ren was gay himself, and seemed so casual and relaxed about that kind of stuff. He was open and calm, and a comforting response might just be what Aoba needed. He was the guy to go to for advice, without a doubt.

Aoba turned to walk to the homosexual route, glancing down at the hall with the crater. He still had to talk to Toue about being moved to a different route. And about why he wanted to talk to Ren… He turned yet again, walking to Toue's office, again greeted by Yoshie.

"Aoba-san! How nice to see you again! How have you been? How's your route?" she asked cheerfully, smiling at him from behind her desk. He was about to open his mouth and mention how he wished to go to the straight route before shaking his head, returning the smile. "It's going really well. I'm happy about it." Yoshie clapped her hands together a few times, squealing happily. "Oh, I'm so happy to hear that! I know it must've been very different, but I'm glad you're adapting. Any luck yet?" He was a bit embarrassed at the questions, but answered politely. "Not so far, but I haven't lost my courage. Is Toue here? I'd like to speak to him about something." Yoshie glances to the closed office door, then back to Aoba. "He's looking through some old work I think. Try and knock."

Aoba bowed as thanks, walking to Toue's door, taking a deep breath, and then finally knocking. In the moment, he started panicking a bit, since he hadn't really figured out what to say yet. "Hello sir, why are you making my friends spy on me?" didn't really seem polite in this context after all. Before he could think further, Toue opened the door up and looked down at him, a slightly creepy smile on his lips. "Aoba-san. Come in."

Aoba sat down in Toue's office in front of his desk and folded his haps in his lap, mostly to occupy them. Toue sat down in front of him and leaned over his desk, staring directly into his eyes, and somewhat annoying Aoba. "So, what can I do for you? How's your route?"

"It's good, I feel comfortable there," he replied, trying to stare back at intimidating, failing at this though. "Good to hear you're happy with the outcome. Again, I'm sorry about the misunderstanding, but it turns out it worked out for the better, right? Also, we'll have another joining the bisexual-route as well. I believe you've met him before. 'Noiz', was it?" he asked and raised a brow at Aoba, who looked at him surprised. "Oh, yeah, I know him. He's a bit, uhm… But he'll be in the bi-route as well? I'll make him feel welcome then." He responded, just remembering the awful and sudden kiss that Noiz had given him. I'll be nice for Toue. If it'll bring me closer to an answer.

"Also, Toue? I was wondering if you have private conversations with attendants in here? About class progress or if someone's unhappy about their route or something like that? I considered it in the beginning, so I was curious if someone else might've thought of the same at one point." He said as casually as possible, even shrugging. Toue narrowed his eyes at him though, and Aoba suddenly felt nervous for asking the question. "Why would that be interesting for you to know, what I speak to people about?" Busted…

"I just thought I could try and talk to them, to maybe help them adapt like myself, right? Maybe they'd like to talk to someone," he spoke, trying to save the situation. "No one here needs any special treatment. If they wish to switch routes, they may speak to Yoshie-san out there. Now go back to your room, Aoba-san. And be safe on your way back. Can't have any attendants here get harmed," he spoke coldly, getting up to open the door for Aoba. He quickly got up and bowed as he left the room, waving as he passed Yoshie as well. Out of the office, he sighed relieved, stroking his hair back. "That was dangerous…" he mumbled to himself.

On his way back to his room again, he looked around the place, over the details in the walls and wallpaper of the halls, the columns on each corner, the wind blowing the light snow around outside, how the floor seemed to come closer and closer…

Thud.

If there was something Aoba was getting tired of, it was unexpected obstacles in his way. He had landed on his knees, his hands having taken the fall instead of his face, and he grumbled at the pain. "Ow, ow… I swear..!" He got to his feet again and looked behind him on the floor for the thing that tripped him. Uh oh…

Another package. Brown, neatly wrapped, with a string out in one end. He knew what that was. A bomb.

He started panicking and looked around him. What if it was already set to go off? Should he warn someone, should he-

"You again." He heard that deep masculine voice again behind him, turning around to see the tall dark man. "Y-you…" Aoba stammered out as he stepped back, tripping over the bomb again, landing on his back. He glanced around, feeling his heart beat faster and faster. He gulped and looked up at the large man. "I-I didn't mean to… I'll go now!" He quickly got to his feet, but the man grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, slamming him hard against the wall next to them.

"Ow, that really hurt!" Aoba whimpered, but the man seemed to ignore this. He kept full eye contact for a bit, then pulled back a little. "You're not Toue's secret weapon…" he mumbled, and Aoba quickly shook his head. "No, of course not! I'm not with Toue at all!" The man shoved him into the wall again, and Aoba groaned at the pain again. "You were just in his office. What for?"

Aoba felt a moment of courage within him, snarling back at him. "I was asking about why he calls in people for talks, especially my friend! Now they think I'm in on the bombing of the front hall, thanks to you!" The man squeezed his shoulders, making Aoba squirm at the pain. The man then suddenly leaned in and held his face, kissing Aoba deeply and messily. "Mphf?!" he mumbled muffled in response, trying to push him back with no luck. He pulled back on his own though, looking at him coldly still. "You're in now, understood? You'll not speak a word to anyone. Toue is evil, and I'll tell you why. Meet me tomorrow night in front of the building, ask for Mink. Make sure to be alone. Now get out of here unless you wanna blow up."

Aoba nodded quickly, still looking at him confused. The man named Mink now steps back and walks away with long quick strides. Aoba finally gets himself together, then quickly gets himself together, running towards his own route. What just happened..? Toue is bad? That kiss…

He finally reached his room, and outside of it stood Koujaku. He didn't seem like himself, as he stood with his head hung low, and without his usual smile. He lifted his head to look at Aoba, waiting for him to approach. "Koujaku? What are you doing here? Is everything okay?" he asked, and his friend simply cleared his throat, blushing as he spoke. "Aoba… I'm sorry if I made you feel weird earlier. I wanna help you find out what you need to find out."

Aoba smiled at this, hugging him tightly. "Thanks, Koujaku. It really means a lot to me," he grinned, pulling back to look up at Koujaku. He was surprised however, when Koujaku leaned in to plant a gentle kiss on his lips. Aoba looked at him surprised, but fighting his usual urge to pull away, he closed his eyes and leaned into the kiss, leaving his hands to rest on Koujaku's shoulders. He finally pulled back and looked down at his blue-haired friend, gulping. "I-I'm sorry… Don't tell anyone I did that," he mumbled, seeming even more embarrassed than Aoba. "No, it's okay… I'll go to sleep, so I'll see you for breakfast, alright..?" he mumbled in response, walking past him and inside his own room, closing and locking the door. Just in case… turns out I'm popular now.

How come he was getting kisses from all angles? First his date, which was somewhat of a letdown, then that weird Mink that seemed to be both warm and cold at the same time, and his best friend Koujaku… The latter was the most puzzling of them all. Koujaku was on the straight route, and he'd been there for years. So why he would suddenly kiss Aoba was a mystery to him. Maybe he just wanted to help like he said? There was definitely something to tell Ren the next day. He was getting all warm and fuzzy inside just thinking about seeing Ren again. Oh no…

I hope this was worth the wait. It was written in an afternoon, but my passion is rekindled for this fanfic, so I'll do my best to keep going. Please review what you like/don't like about this, and maybe even who you'd like Aoba to end up with. I'm always open to suggestions. Bye for now.