Disclaimer: I do not own Yowamushi Pedal or any of its characters. Also, this is an AU. Please do not be upset if the characters are not exactly like those in the show/manga as I took my own liberties

Chapter 4

I sit on my bed and stare at the ceiling. The clock that I've looked at thirty times in the past minute tells me it's 5:03, which means it's been a little more than ten minutes since he texted me telling me he was on his way over. Which means he should be arriving any second. I groan.

I'm still tired from my ridiculous all-nighter, and since I've decided to confess my feelings to him today, the butterflies in my stomach aren't helping. It's to the point where I'm almost dreading his visit; almost, but not quite. I could never really not want to see him.

When I'm sure he must be mere seconds from the door, real panic sets in. I realize that I have absolutely no idea how I'm going to get the words out. I can already feel a lump in my throat, like I'm preemptively choking on the words. I can feel my face heating up because of how embarrassing I'm probably going to sound, and I'm about to break a promise with myself and call the whole thing off when I hear the doorbell ring. Thi jolts me back to reality quickly, and as I walk to the front door to open it, I remind myself that it's now or never, and even though I know that's not in the least but true, it steels my resolve.

"Yo," he says when I open the door, and for a second I'm a little taken aback. It's been quite some time since I've seen him in something besides the school uniform, and I forgot how wild his style of dress is. He sees me staring and the corners of his mouth turn down into a pretty frown. "Don't you dare say anything about my clothes."

"I wasn't going to," I lie, stepping aside to let him in. "Oh, by the way, I have some news you'll enjoy."

"Really? What news could that possibly be?"

"I finished the book," I say and turn to face Makishima, who is staring at me wide-eyed. A proud smile stretches my face when I see his astonishment. "So you can take that with you too."

"Toudou! Did you really finish it already?" After I nod, a smile lights up his entire face. Coupled with the twinkle in his eyes, I'm half-tempted to kiss him, but he resumes talking just in time to save me from really doing it. "I can't believe this! Toudou, I really am impressed. Did you like it? We have to talk about it!"

"Yeah, yeah. I wouldn't have stayed up 'til five this morning if I didn't like it, you know." For this I am rewarded by Makishima's smile growing even wider and more dazzling.

"Five in the morning?" He blinks incredulously, maintaining his smile all the while. I'm sure it must hurt by now, but I'm not going to be the one who tells him to stop. "Toudou, you're amazing." No, that's you.

I start walking to my room, where the notes and book are, and Makishima follows me eagerly. I can still feel him smiling even though I can't see it, and it's bringing a stupid blush to my face. I can feel it burning in my ears and I hope Makishima doesn't notice, even though I know he won't say anything if he does. By the time we get to my room, I think it's subsided enough for me to look him in the face, and when we sit down on my bed together, his eyes don't betray anything; all I can see in them is that beautiful smile.

"So," he says. "I have some questions I want you to answer." He proceeds to ask me a multitude of questions, and they're nothing like what I thought they'd be. The first few questions are what I expected, the names of the prince's advisors and Nergüi's hometown, but after he's asked about five of them, he delves into a whole new level of questioning. These new questions are all about symbolism and undertones and I feel like I'm actually being tested on the book. After I'm on the point of developing a headache from Makishima's explanation about the motifs and symbols in the book, he looks like he notices my pain and stops. He transitions then into questions on my personal feelings and interpretations, and they're pretty easy for me until he gets to the last one.

"So Toudou," he says, the glint in his eye not having faded since the advent of the interrogation and the giddiness still bouncing in his voice. "Final question. Why do you think Otgonbayar didn't tell Nergüi about his scheme to fake his death?" I think for a second.

"Probably because he didn't want her to tell anyone, right? I mean, she might not be able to keep the secret."

"I think you're partially right."

"Partially?" I cry, incredulous. "What am I missing?"

"I think it's true that he was afraid she might let it slip, but I think there's more." His eyes soften. "You remember, of course, that Nergüi didn't know he was the one killing the advisors?"

"Yeah, duh. Why would he tell her?"

"Yes, exactly! If he had to explain that he was faking his own death, he'd have to explain the reason as well. And why, Toudou, why do you think he wouldn't want to tell her the reason?"

"Because he's a murderer, obviously!" I exclaim. I'm getting exasperated and I just want him to get to the point.

"Yes!" Makishima practically yells. He's getting more excited by the moment. "And who could love a murderer, right? Sure, he did it for her, but she never asked him to. And he knows that. So he didn't tell her about his plan. Because he'd rather she think him a great man in death than a monster in life." After he says this he pauses and just stares at me, waiting for me to get it. I do, but I don't want to let on. I need to keep looking at him, need to keep this image burned in my brain. His eyes are shining, filled with every thought he's had about this book, and he's sharing them all with me, and he's so excited. And I love him. I love him for being so excited and so passionate and so great. I love that way he's looking at me, his eyes all wonder, and I want him to look at me like that forever. I love him happy and excited, in the morning and in the afternoon, at school and here with me. I love him all the time and everywhere, every way he is. And he deserves to know. I suck in a deep breath.

"Yuusuke," I say, catching him off guard. A little bit of the twinkle fades from his eyes, but he's still captivating. "I love you." Surprise is evident in his eyes and his lips part, but I hold up my hand to stop him from speaking. If I can't get this all out in one go, I might not be able to do it at all.

"I love you," I repeat with a firmer inflection in my voice. "I love you, and let me clarify. I don't love you like a brother or a close friend. I love you like I am in love with you and I want to be with you. I love everything about you. I think you're absolutely mesmerizing and amazing in every way. I love the way you act when you're excited about things. I love how you let me borrow your notes when I sleep in class and your books even when you suspect I won't read them. I love the way you walk, I love your voice. I love your hair and your moles. I love your smile. I love absolutely everything about you. And even if you don't want to stay friends now that you know, I'm still going to love you." I take a few deep breaths after I finish, and that's when I notice Makishima's face has turned a brilliant shade of scarlet. I realize with guilt that it's probably been getting redder the whole time I've been speaking. I forget too easily what a shy guy Makishima is. Damn it, I think. I'be really screwed it up now. He may never speak again.

However, after a few minutes of just sitting and looking at each other, he looks prepared to say something. His face is still just as rosy, but he looks significantly calmer. He reaches out and gingerly brushes to fingers over the top of my hand, maintaining eye contact all the while. "Jinpachi," he murmurs. I can barely hear him over the insane pounding of my own heart, but I still color when he uses my first name. "Is all that really true? Is what you said just now... true?" My heart skips a beat. His tone is so soft and unsure. I want to hug him.

"Of course it's true," I say, trying unsuccessfully to keep my voice from wavering in nervousness. "I wouldn't lie about that." He offers a slight nod in response. I want him to say something else, anything, but he just closes his eyes and takes in a breath. I can feel my heart hammering against my chest, I can hear it in my ears, and it's starting to hurt. I want to scream at him, I just wanted him to say something, and at the very moment I'm sure I'll burst, he leans forward to meet my lips.

I'm so shocked I fall back on the bed, lucky enough to have my head land on the pillow, and he falls on top of me. He pulls back from the kiss quickly, but the sweetness of his lips still lingers on mine. He pushes himself up with his arms to stare down at me, his hair falling down all around, a dizzying waterfall of green.

"Jinpachi," he nearly whisper, and it brings heat to my face. "Is it really true?"

"You keep repeating that," I say, reaching out to twirl some of that beautiful hair in my fingers, "but I've already answered you, haven't I? It's true, all of it." He brings his face to mine and places another light kiss on my lips.

"I love you," he says so quietly I can hardly hear, even though he's speaking directly in my ear. My heartbeat only quickens to make it more difficult. "I love you." He looks just in time to see surprise overtake my every feature. "I love you," he assures me, relading his arms so his body drops onto mine. "I love you so much. I love everything about you. I can't say it quite like you can, but it's true. I can't believe it." He's so quiet now that I might not now he was talking if I wasn't watching his lips so closely. "I'm the luckiest guy on the planet. I'm so lucky, and I just can't believe it." When he sighs out the last few words, I bring our lips together again. He's sweeter every time, and I'm surprised to find something new about him to love that I didn't already know about.

After a few more kisses, of which I will always want more, he nestles into my side and throws his arm over me, head nestled in between my shoulder and neck. I'm not sure if it's comfortable, but he seems to be perfectly content, and so am I. It's nice just to have him here. I like feeling the warmth of his body next to mine. It's comfortable and nice, holding him like this, being with him. I run my hands through his hair and it's soft and he's beautiful and he smells nice, and I would give anything to fall asleep right now and wake with him still by my side in the morning. But that's unreasonable, obviously.

He can't stay forever, and his parents are probably expecting him home soon. After a few hours of lying like this and telling each other how lucky we both are, it saddens me to see him shuffle out the door, books and notes in hand, wearing a delicate smile on those soft lips. When I go to bed later, I find that I can still smell him on my pillow, as if he left a few flower petals behind just to keep me company. I inhale deeply, and a ridiculous grin stretches itself across my face because I know that I'm the real lucky one here.

~author's note~

First of all, sorry. I said I would hurry with this chapter and I didn't. Second of all, I hope it's not too mushy, but at the same time, if it is, I don't really care that much. I hope you enjoy and thanks for reading!