Kisumi pulled his tie lose, a sigh escaping with the action. Rolling his shoulders back, he relaxed his muscles. Looking out through the viewing windows, he allowed a smile to break though his exhausted features. Now that Hayato had gotten over his fear of swimming, meeting his brother to walk home together was his favorite part of the day. As much as he knew school was for the best; to help his future and maybe even children of his own someday, as of late, it has been making him feel dead on his feet. He knows where he's headed but it all seems dim in a world full of color.
Kisumi found his brother would brighten his day, so in the end he knew it would be worth it, that's what he has to keep telling himself.
"What's wrong onii-chan?" Hayato asked as they walked, the younger boy had tugged his brother's sleeve to get his attention.
"Hmm?" Kisumi glanced down at him.
"You seem...pensive.." Hayato replied, "That's a new word I've learned, it means 'deep in thought'."
Kisumi bit his lip lightly, as a cool breeze drifted over them. Deciding to tell his brother the honestly that he was feeling very exhausted, he opened his mouth to do so, planing to tell his brother the whole truth, About school and his future job.
Still walking they passed someone on the side walk that Kisumi only fleetingly glanced at before returning his attention back to Hayato, who was waiting for his to talk.
Kisumi smiled at his little brother, starting, " Well, I'm just a little-"
"Kisumi!?" his name being said interrupted him.
Brushing light strands of hair from his eyes, he looks around to see who could be calling out to him; though the voice did seem familiar. Kisumi blinked when his eyes landed on a young man, who's hair was quite shocking.
"Momo... from the camping trip, the Tachibana's took us." Kisumi said, shock running over his skin. In all truth, he thought he would never see the flamboyant redhead again.
After the camping trip, Momo had given him a phone number to reach him; but on top of being busy, every time he tried calling or even thinking up a text, he always froze up, unsure what to say to the younger boy.
Kisumi really likes Momo, it was make blindingly obvious over the couple days of the camping trip. Sharing a tent hadn't helped matters, then the car rides, swished together.
Red strands slipped around the boy's eyes as he nodded vigorously, "Almost thought you wouldn't remember me...my mother is always telling me though; I make to much of an impression sometimes-most of the time."
How could I forget...as he thought it, his heart flutters in his chest, something he associated with going to a festival. We spent most of the trip together, talking and joking...we even had the same tent.. bitting his bottom lip in thought, he managed to unravel his abnormally tied tongue. "What are you doing in these parts?"
Momotarou grinned, "My parents live nearby! I came to visit them and borrow some books from my dad. Normally I really get to talking with them and stay over, but today I promised to get the train early, so it wouldn't be to dark when I got back to the dorms; my mother says she worries about me walking on the grounds at night. I've told her it's nothing to worry about and the most scary thing on the grounds would only be Rin-senpai venting with a run." He adjusted the bag around his body.
Having turned around to better talk to his newest friend, he felt a tug on his right sleeve this time, in Hayato's attempt to make his presence known.
"Oh! I'm sorry...! Momo, this is my brother Hayato."
Momo knelt to the boys level with a bubbly grin, "Hello, I'm Momotarou a friend of your Onii-chan! He's taken good care of me, Kisumi is a wonderful senpai! During the camping trip he never told me to shut up or anything, he's such a great listener, you're really lucky to have him as a brother!"
Kisumi blushed deeply, he honestly hadn't thought about being a good senpai to the redhead, he had been more interested in spending time with the younger boy, he was fun to talk to, though he did most the talking.
Kisumi found he enjoyed that fact, over the years most of his friends always let him do all the talking.
"Nice to meet you..." Hayato muttered shyly, tightening his small grip on his brothers school shirt.
To relieve his sudden rush of embarrassment, Kisumi let the other boys slowly get acquainted, staring down at the ground in an attempt to make his cheeks stop burning. Kisumi noticed how very stuffed his friends book bag was, he wondered how with Momo's slight frame it didn't throw him balance off.
It brought his thoughts away from his hot face,
"Did you borrow your father's whole library?" Kisumi questioned, a teasing tone lacing his voice, bringing to light his normal flirttyness, though even Kisumi knew it wasn't as strong.
He could turn any girl or guy into a puddle on the floor in a matter of a few words, not that he did it on purpose, though with years of it happening, he often prided himself for the talent, even gloatingly.
Momo looked up at him with furled brows, before he put a hand on the bag. With the long strap, it rested on his hip, the bottom of it brushed the ground. Regaining his height gracefully, considering the added weight from the books, he replied,
"Not even close. Just some things I thought I might need for school. My father dose have a very extensive library though, ever need a book he probably has it, you should go with me sometime Kisumi-senpai! I'd love to introduce you to my parents, I've talked so much about you I'm starting to think that they don't believe you exist."
Kisumi opened his mouth to reply, when nothing came out, he just blubbered like a fish. Momotarou had a talent of his own, which involved making Kisumi tongue tied. It wasn't something he was used to, Maomotarou could just flap his jaw, saying something very normal and Kisumi felt like he was out flirted.
"What kind of books...?" Hayato asked, his curiosity out shining his shyness.
"About animals, I plan to be a vet someday!" Momotarou replied, resting his palms on his knees, he seemed flattered by the boy's interest. "I could show you, some really cool pictures...and big words."
"Really?" Hayato's eyes where big, he seemed to be warming up to the flirty redhead. Kisumi couldn't suppress the smile that twitched his lips.
"Why don't I buy you both a drink, I need to wait for the next train anyway." Momotarou offered, his eyes meeting Kisumi's briefly.
The older boy tried to ignore the rise in heat to his cheeks, glad that Momotarou didn't seem to notice; or was also ignoring it.
"Sure, why not?" Kisumi knew that his father was way on business and his mother was taking a night out with her friends, Hayato was often his responsibility.
They changed direction, falling into step beside Momotarou and walking towards the train station; which wasn't very far off.
"I could carry your bag for you." Kisumi felt the words tumble from his mouth, the offer seemed normal enough, if it where a girl he was pursuing...now, however, glancing at his companion it seemed rather foolish.
Kisumi was new to the courting world, though he had plenty of girls with sights on him throughout adolescents, he never really sought their attentions. Momotarou had shown up in his life, in honestly what felt like a whirlwind of emotion. And exclamations about stag beetles.
He wasn't even sure where to start in gaining the boisterous teen's affection, his normal charm and own flirtatiousness seemed to lock itself away whenever the redhead was present. Kisumi only spent two days with the boy, though that did include Momotarou cuddling up to him in his sleep while in their shared tent. Yet still he was lovestruck.
They hadn't made it to the station yet and Momotarou tilted his chin toward the offer.
"Thanks!" he slipped the strap off his shoulder and over his head, holding it out to the older boy, "It's my mothers philosophy to never turn down an act of gallantry, 'Nice to know chivalry isn't as dead as some may think' As she would say!"
Kisumi took the bag, his fingers twitched when their hands brushed in passing. The bag was heavy, placing it around his own body, his brothers hand fell away and Hayato was brave enough to take Momotarou's instead asking, "Whats your favorite knight story? I've aways thought Onii-chan would make a very brave night!"
They continued to walk, beginning to hear the sounds of the station as they went, though, Kisumi only heard Momotarou's laugh. Watching him hold onto his brothers hand, he smiled, glad they where hitting it off so well. Kisumi just griped at the strap of Momotarou's bag, feeling lighter then he had in weeks.
Finding an empty bench at the train station, Hayato crawl into the seat and proceeded to swing his legs.
"So, what would you like to drink, Hayato?" Momotarou asked him.
"Soda!" Hayato exclaimed.
Momotaou smiles and leaving his bag wrapped around Kisumi, while he dug into it for his wallet, "That alright?"
Kismui nodded assent, while Momotaou pulled out the leather and one book. He gave the book to Hayato as he skirted their bench and looked behind him, "Dr. pepper for you right?"
"..Yeah.." Kisumi manged, He remembered that... his heart is becoming a festival all by itself.
Kisumi is pensive once more, though now for different reasons.
When Momotaou returned, a cool can was placed to his fingers, startling him, the redhead blinked long lashes, a laugh tumbling from his lips.
Kisumi shuttered, taking the offered can, "T-Thanks..."
"No problem." Momotaou said merrily, taking a seat next to Hayato and also handing him a soda can.
"Thank you!" he said, though quick to return to the book propped in his lap.
Momotaou glanced up, popping open his own refreshment. Bitting his lip fleetingly, the red head patted the spot next to him, suggesting Kisumi sit down.
Kisumi decided it was a good idea, considering how weak in the knees he felt.
"So," Momotaou swallowed down some of the sugary substance. "Have you decided what you're gonna do after school?"
Kisumi attempted to relax, it was a normal enough question, "I'll be joining my fathers company, he runs a law firm."
"You don't seem very enthused!" Momotaou commented. "When I decide to be a vet, I danced around my house for weeks and drove my brother nuts. Then again my mom is always telling me I have this 'over abundance of enthusiasm' about things. But! She said it in that loving mom way so I know she really doesn't mind!"
Kisumi found a laugh slip passed his lips, he honestly smiled, light surly touching his eyes as he considered his cheerful companion. In the long car ride with the young redhead, as well as the following time spent with him; Kisumi had grown used to the long sentences that would often tumble from his mouth.
"I'll just be like any other suit and tie." Kisumi finally said.
"They aren't all bad," Momotarou said, "My uncle was one. He was always visiting us, seemed happy enough to me! Mother always told him he shouldn't think so practically all the time, I was never really sure what she meant by that...I always thought my uncle was a lot of spontaneous fun...Ohhh Plus, you'll look ten times better in a suit and tie then he ever did!"
Kisumi felt a mixture of pride, but that was trumped by a mighty rush of embarrassment; which Momotarou was surly able to see. But the redhead had the grace to also blush, a lovely dusting to his cheeks that somehow made Kisumi less flustered.
"So..what would you rather do..?" Momotarou asked, after he had taken a large gulp of his soda. This reminded the older boy that he had completely forgotten about his own, not wishing to be rude when Momotarou had bought it for him, he opened the can and took a sip.
"Honesty, I would love to help my grandmother with her little flower shop.." Kisumi admitted, "I used to go over there all the time growing up, I just love all the deep meanings and the flowers themselves. Grandmother even hired me over the summer, it was fun."
Momotarou smiled, "I try to buy my mother a rose every year, normally for her birthday; it's the first thing I always save up for...she gets so excited about it...worth every penny!"
Momotarou's eyes found his earnestly, "I think you'd make a wonderful florist!"
Kisumi was taken aback for a heart beat, "Yeah...well, no point in dwelling."
Looking very crestfallen, Momotarou tried, "I think you'll be good at anything you put your mind to, senpai..."
"Momo?" Hayato drew the other boys attention, pointing to a picture. Kisumi bit his lip, looking at the redhead next to him. Then the clack of the train brought his concentration back to the busy station.
"Ohh, I have to go..if I don't get on this train Nitori-Senpai is gonna start worrying about me." Momotarou said, standing and gazing at his companions.
Kisumi stood too, pulling the strap of the book bag over his head.
"It was nice running into you." this time the touching of hands seemed deliberate. Taking his bag he smiled,
"I gave you my number last time, been wondering why you haven't hit me up."
The way he stated that felt suggestive in someway. Kisumi let the thought drift away.
"Well...tomorrow is Saturday...if you don't have anything planned..."
"I don't!" Momotarou's excitement shone out brightly. "Text me!"
Kisumi felt his heart start beating so fast, he could hear the pounding loudly in his ears.
"Hayato, you can keep the book if you want...that was one of mine." he told the boy, swaying in place as he tossed his bag around his body once more.
"Really?" Hayato asked, his eyes bright. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome." then he waved and stepped onto the train, "See you tomorrow." he told Kisumi.
center***/center
Sitting on the same bench the next day, Kisum pulled at his collar nervously, What was I thinking...he berated himself, he had dived into his closet the moment he got home the day before and dug out the suit his father had bought him found his birthday.
He sat at the train station, where Maomotarou had agreed to meet him. The heat was getting to him, his gray suit felt muggy. Kisumi sighed, in an attempt to relax.
He knew he looked alright, his mother had cooed over him before he left, straightening his purple tie, though it didn't need to be fixed; she was just being loving.
Leaning forward with a gift in his hand he starred at the ground. It wasn't until a train pulling into the station, did he sit up straight again. All the doors opened, and a ways down the row, Momotarou jumped onto the plat from.
Waving excitedly when he saw his friend on the bench. Kisumi stood as the young boy approached,
"Wow...you look so nice, I knew you would look very sharp in a suit!" Momotarou stopped in front of him, a shocked but happy expression on his face. "I feel really under dressed now though, no one will guess we're together, you look like you could be an adult going to a business meeting; I look like a teen going to the arcade..."
Kisumi glanced at his friends attire, Momotarou wore blue jean capri's and a t-shirt with a video game controller on it.
Smiling Kiumi held out the single rose he had brought for the redhead, "You're perfect, wait until you find out where we're going."
Momotarou's cheeks dusted color beautifully, he took the offered rose, "Ohh kisumi, you didn't have to. Thank you so much, you're so sweet!"
He brought the rose to his nose gently, a smile playing on his lips.
"So! Where areee we going?" he leaned in closer to his friend, standing on his toes slightly.
"The museum," Kisumi told him, not shying away from the redheads closeness, though he felt like his feel where sicking to the warm concrete. "Theres...a talk on insects today and I thought you might like to go see it."
Momotarou's jaw fell open, he gapped for a few moments then trilled, "Ohh myy goddd really!?"
"Yeah, I looked it up before texting you last night." Kisumi said, and ounce of pride showing though his nervousness.
"But...if you would rather go eat or something instead.." he felt himself floundering in front of the redheads gaze, the look on his face was; indescribable.
"No! Kisumi, you're doing wonderful so far, I knew I'd enjoy going out with you but this is just amazing, you put a lot of thought into it and I'm just so pleased and shocked at the same time! I really just want to throw my arms around you right now, maybe even have you twirl me!"
He fiddled with his rose, bitting his lip.
Kisumi blinked, took a moment to processes everything then smiled, "I'm so glad!" he admitted, truly breathing a sigh of relief.
Momotarou smiled as well, holding out a hand rather shyly, Kisumi took it gently with his own, lacing their fingers together.
"This is going to be amazing!" Momotarou exclaimed.
After the train ride to the city, the redhead still held his hand.
"We still have time if you're hungry." Kisumi told him as they walked though the crowds.
"Sounds good! I didn't eat anything before I left. Aii told me I should, but my belly was flipping to much."
"Mine too." Kisumi admitted.
Momotarou smiled, "Than we should defiantly stop."
As they decided where they should eat Momotarou chatted, "You know, my mother makes the most wonderful noddles, you're really gonna have to meet my family, I know they'll just love you!"
Kisumi tightened his grasp on their joined fingers.
"That's the second time you've mentioned me meeting you're parents; don't like me do you." Kisumi teased.
Momotarou stopped suddenly, pulling them both to a halt.
He bit his lip and looked up at Kisumi, "I really like you, Kisumi...I was trying to get your attention though the hole camping trip, I was very worried you wouldn't feel that same way, but at the last moment I couldn't just let you get away, so I gave you my phone number...when you didn't call I was very disappointed; you didn't even call as a friend...honestly, I didn't think I'd ever see you again."
Momotarou gasp out. Kisumi's heart was beating hard in his chest, he took a deep inhale and said, "I'm sorry. " he whispered,
"The truth is Momo...I feel so flustered when I'm around you. The camping trip was the best and worst time of my life. I wanted to pursue you but didn't know how; you leave me abnormally tongue tied. When you gave me your number, I stared at it for ages; wanting to contact you and not knowing what to say. I like you very much Momo."
Momotarou's eyes got wider by the second, "Really?! I feel like such a spazz around you..although my brother tells me that I'm normally a spazz..."
Kisumi brushed red hair out of Momotarou's eyes, "An adorable spazz." he told him, a smile lighting his face.
Momotarou blinked, a light dusting of color spreading across his cheeks. "Um..shall we get some food then...I don't want to miss the talk on insects.."
"Sure, what ever you want to eat it fine." Kisumi told him, his own cheeks burning with heat.
Momotarou nodded and pointed to a little bakery not far from where they stood on the sidewalk, people moving around them without even looking up.
center***/center
Later that night, they stood outside Momotarou's dorm, Kisumi had offered to walk him home and the boy had trilled an exuberant, "Yes!" proceeding to say, "I have this really awesome video game, you just have to see it! There's these big monsters and you have to weed though them to get to the really big boss, then once you do that there's this even nastier boss that you can get to once you gain enough levels. I've already gotten to level eighteen...Aii has done even better then that!"
Now, they stood in the chilly breeze, though Kisumi felt so overheated that it was soothing.
"This has been the best date ever! And that includes the time my cousin took me to the arcade in tokyo! I mean, I got to spend time with you, and then the talk was amazing, plus we got to see everything in the museum, I'm gonna have so much to tell everyone!"
Kisumi shifted his feet, unsure if he should kiss the boy now, he really wanted to but wondered if he should wait until they parted ways. His mother was always telling the story of her first date with his father, a kiss good night was expected, though he wasn't sure if Momotarou did. I might not get the chance if his roommate is there...
"Kis-umi" Momotarou's voice trickled into his thoughts. Looking at the small boy, Kisumi smiled gently. Momotarou stepped closer.
"Kiss me..." his English pronunciation rather fluid. Kisumi's takes a sharp breath, the play on his name sent shivers down his spine, falling from Momotarou's lips so reverently, normally he'd find the play on words annoying after being teased so often. But there was no laughter in Momo's eyes, only hope. Kisumi took the boys chin in his knuckle.
Placing his thumb gently to his bottom lip, Momotarou's eyes naturally fluttered closed. Kisumi's ears start to pond and his mouth feels dry, tilting the younger teen's head a little more, he leans forward pressing against his lips.
He can feel Momotarou release a sighing breath, his lips parting slightly. Encouraged, Kisumi shifted his left hand to rest at Momotarou's waist. When he tilted into the kiss a little more, he felt small hands griping the front of his coat.
Parting momentarily, Kisumi smiled, before slipping back to the other boys warm mouth. Momotarou welcomed him back by allowing his tongue to slip next to his own. The redhead hummed into the feeling, raising up onto his toes to meet the taller teen halfway and locking arms steadily around his neck. Kisumi's right hand fell away from Momo's chin, joining the other around Momotarou's waist, almost lifting him off his feet in any attempt to bring them impossibly closer.
When they parted once more, Momotarou shivered, whether from the kiss or the cold, Kisumi could only figure both, a sense of smugness returning.
"We should head inside..warm up."
Momotarou nodded, running his tongue over his already moist lips.
"Yeah, I'll show you that game.." it seemed almost like an after thought, like his mind was slowly bringing reality back, yet his grip only tightened at the fabric of Kisumi's collar.
Smiling Kisumi leading his boyfriend to the door, where Momotarou fumbled with his pass. Once in the warm building, Momotarou trilled, "You know, we should thank Makoto for introducing us!"
"Good idea." Kisumi agreed, "How about a nice bouquet?" They laced their fingers together as they walked down the mostly empty hall.
"Perfect!"
