Chapter 2

In class-

Yuuichi was, surprisingly, not paying attention at all to Sensei's words. He was lost in his own thoughts.

"Mahiro…. Why does he have to be around Takuma all the time? How he makes him smile, how he touches him so casually, it makes me want to just…!" He had clenched his fists on the desk.

He realized what he was doing and shook his head.

"What am I thinking?! This isn't me at all! But… Takuma, you always look so happy with him. Could it be that… Maybe…?"

Mahiro was, as usual, spacing out. With his eyes pointed out the window, he was lost in thoughts of Takuma as well.

"I wonder how Takuma is doing… Is his class as boring as mine? Heh. Yuuichi… Why is he always so serious?! It's so annoying! He always interrupts me and Takuma every time we're having fun!"

"I can't do anything about it, though. To hurt Yuuichi is to hurt Takuma and I just couldn't do that! Because I'm… For me, he is…"

For the first time, Mahiro snapped back to reality. As he stared out the window he caught sight of something he couldn't believe.

It was Inukai Shinji, the youngest of the five guardians. Shinji had been away for a long time, training and refining his skills.

"Shinji…." Mahiro said to himself. In the midst of his shock, Mahiro almost didn't see that Shinji wasn't alone. The shock of seeing his friend after so long was nothing compared to the shock he was about to receive.

Shinji was walking side by side with the infamous Kutani Ryou, the sly dog none of the other guardians liked, nor trusted.

"EEEEEEHHHHHHHH?!"

The whole classed turned to stare at Mahiro. He didn't even notice; he couldn't take his eyes off the two outside.

Yuuichi, who sat behind Mahiro, was brought out of his reverie by Mahiro's sudden outburst. His eyes followed the baka's and Yuuichi couldn't help but drop his jaw at the sight of their friend, their missing piece. The joy of seeing him again was marred by the dog standing next to him.

They both had so many question but they were, for once, at a complete loss for words.

Annoyed at the interruption Sensei walked between the two and shouted at them.

"PAY ATTENTION!"

Hearing the commotion inside the building, Ryou's ears twitched instinctively. He glanced in the direction of the classroom and saw the two staring at him, dumbfounded. He shot them a cold, smug look before he turned and walked in the opposite direction, leaving a confused Shinji behind to wonder what had just happened.

~Lunchtime- The roof

When Mahiro and Yuuichi got to the roof for lunch, Takuma was already there waiting for them. They wasted no time in telling him what they had witnessed.

"Ehhh? Shinji is back?!" Takuma exclaimed, unable to hide his excited smile.

Both Mahiro and Yuuichi couldn't help but stare at Takuma's beautiful, smiling face. When they realized he was waiting for them to continue, they both snapped out of it.

Mahiro was the first to speak up. "Yeah, he is! I saw him outside the school last period! Isn't it great?!" He asked excitedly.

The three nodded happily in agreement until Yuuichi remembered something else.

"What about the other part, Mahiro?" He asked.

"Other part?" Mahiro was confused.

Yuuichi sighed and said, "I'm not surprised a baka like you forgot such an important part of the incident."

Mahiro stood, his fists clenched in anger.

"Huhhh?! Why don't you say that again?!"

Yuuichi stood, calm and collected with his arms folded. "You heard me. Only an idiot would forget something so important."

Mahiro converged on Yuuichi; both had a look so dark, you could almost see bolts of lightning flashing between them. Just as things were about to really heat up, Takuma jumped between them, facing Mahiro. He placed his hands on Mahiro's chest and pushed him back to stop things from escalating.

Yuuichi was grateful that Takuma was currently facing away from him. He was sure his face would give his feelings away. He stared coldly into Mahiro's face. Mahiro, in turn stared back at Yuuichi with a smug look, as if to mock him. Yuuichi couldn't stand it. Who did Mahiro think he was? More importantly, who is he to Takuma? The questions spinning around in Yuuichi's head were driving him insane.

He finally snapped. He quickly grabbed Takuma's arm; anything to get him to stop touching Mahiro. When he realized what he had done, Yuuichi let go almost instantly, before Takuma could even react. What was he doing? How could he lose control of himself like that? Did Takuma see the face he had made? He didn't know, so he hung his head in shame.

"Hey, now! Chill out, na? What's happened that's so important?" Takuma said with a look caught somewhere between annoyance and confusion.

"I saw that Kutani Ryou!" Mahiro finally remembered.

Takuma's brow furrowed in confusion. "Ryou? The loner dog that never comes to class? So what?"

"He was with Shinji! From the looks of it, they came here together!"

Takuma was just as shocked as the other two had been.

Just as Mahiro had finished speaking, the door to the roof opened and Shinji appeared, smiling bashfully, bento in hand.

"Hi, guys! Hisashiburi! I'm so happy to see you all again!" Shinji exclaimed, smiling brightly.

The three guardians gathered around Shinji to greet him, all grateful for the lightening in the mood. They were all so happy to see their friend again.

As they sat down to enjoy their lunch, Mahiro grew impatient. He suddenly asked the question they all wanted answered.

"So, Shinji," he began. "What were you doing with Kutani Ryou?"

All eyes turned in Shinji's direction, making him fidget in his seat.

"Ehhh? D-did you all see that?!"

Mahiro and Yuuichi nodded in unison.

When Shinji thought back on that morning his heart started to flutter. "I woke up late," He started nervously. "I decided to take the shortcut through the woods, since I'd be late otherwise. I was running and before I knew it I was surrounded by drowned gods. I was about to be taken when Ryou jumped out and sent them away. Apparently, I fainted after that because the next thing I knew I was waking up on the ground." Shinji fibbed on that last part. There's no way these guys would understand.

Mahiro couldn't help but laugh. "Haha! Yeah. I bet seeing Ryou's face so suddenly was both shocking and scary!"

Mahiro's words shocked Shinji.

"Th- that's not true! He saved me! He didn't leave my side until I came to. He made me feel so safe…" He let the words trail off, knowing how they would sound.

Mahiro spoke up again. "So, what? He's your knight in shining armor, then? Coming to rescue the fair maiden?"

The three all laughed quietly and Shinji couldn't stand it anymore. He could feel the tears welling in his eyes but they quickly disappeared when he suddenly stood and slammed his fists on the table. It cracked under his strength splintering the wood. His hands were bleeding and they both had shards of wood stuck in them. He was so angry. Why were they being like this?

Shinji quickly turned and ran through the open door. He wouldn't let them see the tears that had brimmed over, flowing like a waterfall down his cheeks.

The three were left behind, both confused and ashamed at their behavior; their laughter had hurt their friend. They had made Shinji, who had only just returned, run off, crying. They would have to find him later and apologize.

"RINNNGGGGG"

"Ah, it's the bell! Takuma, Yuuichi, let's go!" Mahiro said running through the open door without waiting for either of them.

Yuuichi, seeing this as a perfect opportunity to talk to Takuma, needed to stop him. They were finally alone, after all. As Takuma turned to leave, Yuuichi grabbed the sleeve of his uniform jacket.

"Matte, Takuma." It was all he could manage.

Takuma turned, a bit surprised, and said, "Nani? Can we make this quick? We don't want to be late to class, hehe."

Yuuichi gulped. It was now or never. He took a deep breath and began.

"I wanted to say that I'm sorry."

"Huh? What for?" Takuma asked, perplexed by the sudden apology.

"Well I…. I've been losing my temper a lot recently and not really being my usual, calm self, and…" His rushed words trailed off. He was so nervous that his hands shook.

Takuma sighed and went to sit on the bench next to Yuuichi.

"Senpai, I know you and Mahiro might not be the best of friends, but you do get along well. You may have your problems with each other but," he paused to place a warm hand on Yuuichi's shoulder. "It's nothing you need to apologize for," he said with a brilliant smile.

Yuuichi was almost at his limit. He didn't know how much longer he could hold himself back. Takuma was being so understanding, so loving. He was being, well, Takuma.

"To be honest, something is bothering me," Yuuichi said in a low voice. His throat was so dry from the nerves, he couldn't manage hardly any volume.

Takuma tilted his head to one side like a confused puppy. "Nani?" he whispered, worriedly.

"I…" Yuuichi was so frustrated with himself, he couldn't stand it.

"Senpai, you know you are very important to me, don't you? If anything is on your mind, please tell me." His words were soft and low, like a gentle light that warmed Yuuichi's whole heart.

He couldn't take it anymore.

!

Before Takuma could even prepare himself, Yuuichi took him into his arms and hugged him strongly.

"S-senpai?" Takuma asked, startled.

"I can't," Yuuichi whispered.

"Can't what?"

"I just can't stand it any longer!" He held Takuma tighter, pulling him closer. "I'm always so calm and collected and can usually control myself and my thoughts. I'm going crazy, and I don't know what to do anymore!"

Takuma was speechless. He didn't know what there was to say, regardless.

"Every damn time that idiot Mahiro is around, I get so frustrated I think I might lose my mind! He makes you laugh and you're always smiling when you're around him!"

"Wh-what are you saying?" Takuma finally choked out.

Yuuichi began shaking. "I'm… Jealous. Because I…"

Yuuichi whispered the word so low, that Takuma couldn't catch all of it. "….ki"

"Huh?"

"Suki desu! I love you, Takuma! I have for a long time now!"

Takuma, still in Yuuichi's strong arms, was shocked. He had no idea. He started to realize his heart was racing; it felt very tight. He knew this feeling, though. It was no different than the feeling he always got when they were together.

"Yuuichi-sen-" Takuma started to say. His words were interrupted by Yuuichi, who suddenly released him and pushed him away as he stood up.

"I'm sorry. I'm such a fool. I should be in better control of myself instead of throwing my own selfish feelings at you. I don't want to ruin our friendship." As he finished, he started to walk away; he didn't want to face Takuma after that. He couldn't believe himself. He wanted to curl up into a ball and die.

Before he could take another step, though, he was stopped by a tug on his sleeve.

"Huh?" Yuuichi thought. "He can't be… Is he…?"

"…. Don't go," Takuma whispered.

"Huh?" It was Yuuichi's turn to be surprised.

Takuma grabbed Yuuichi's wrist and pulled hard, bringing him into his warm embrace. He looked down and stared into Yuuichi's flushed, surprised face.

"Give me your hand."

Yuuichi shot Takuma a confused look.

"Give it to me," he coaxed.

Yuuichi reluctantly placed his hand in Takuma's.

Taking hold of it gently, he said, "I need your help in figuring something out. You always were the smart one, after all." He was grinning slyly.

Takuma took Yuuichi's hand and placed it on his chest, over his heart.

"You know what this is, right?" he asked.

"H-ha… hai." Yuuichi could feel Takuma's heart racing under his skin.

"You're smart enough to understand what this means, right?" Takuma asked; a slight blush creeping up onto his cheeks. He looked down at Yuuichi's bright red face; his eyes were wide with shock. Takuma realized then, that this weird, no, this warm, happy feeling he always got from being with Yuuichi wasn't anything a normal friendship could make him feel. It was so much more than that.

He loosened his grip on Yuuichi's hand a bit. It was as if a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders; like the mystery had been solved. He didn't need to worry anymore. With this realization he leaned forward slowly, placing his lips at Yuuichi's ear.

Takuma's warm breath tickled and Yuuichi twitched a bit. He couldn't believe it. Yuuichi heard Takuma whisper the sweetest word; the one he had only dreamed he'd ever hear.

"Suki."