The Bloom
Mafuni Takahashi was cajoling her one year old son Misaki, while her husband Tadahiro and son Takahiro were packing their bags. "It's not fair honey, you are using Misaki as excuse to avoid packing" Tadahiro laughed. "I have human rights to do so, right Misaki?" Mafuni was rubbing her nose with smiling Misaki's. "Yes mom has the right to do so dad" Takahiro chuckled. "Did you put Misaki's nappies and instant milk?" Mafuni was happily sitting on the bed and monitoring two males. "Hey mom, you found Misaki a husband right?" Takahiro asked pushing his glasses up. "Ah ha, yes a year back, he is such a nice chap polite and handsome" Mafuni was thinking about Akihiko the calm boy. "But honey how can we marry two boys?" Tadahiro laughed. "Tadahiro are you against two men loving each other?" Mafuni asked back. "Nope, if Misaki grows up to love man we will support him okay Takahiro?" Tadahiro patted his elder son who was happily folding clothes. "As long as Misaki is happy I will be with him dad" Takahiro spoke like a big brother.
Next day family of four were driving down the road to the nearby hill station famous for its firefly flight. They were gliding down a green road and Misaki somehow standing on Mafuni's lap was watching the lush of green. "Misaki are you enjoying the view?" Mafuni asked. "maa...buuu...eee" Misaki giggled and his green eyes hiding between his brown bangs. "Misaki and mama will enjoy and daddy and nii-chan will set up the tent" Mafuni was retelling him her open secret plan and Misaki was giggling as if he understood everything. "You know there is a small lake that runs between the banks of both the hills" Mafuni was informing Misaki and pointing him out the landmarks while Tadahiro was pretending to listen and Takahiro was repeating the words in his mind. "If we sit on the bank during night we can see fireflies illuminating the sky, Misaki and mama will capture them in jars okay" Mafuni was too excited about the trip. "The banks are connected with one old pool and is surrounded trees slanting from both banks. The beautiful white flowers hang in the air like silver stars Misaki. Daddy proposed mama on that pool" Mafuni loved celebrating anything for first time in this particular hill station and hence this time they were going to celebrate Misaki's first birthday and camping seemed the right way to celebrate. "But will Misaki remember any of this honey?" Tadahiro asked. "That's not the point. We will take tons of photographs of Misaki and keep them in albums so that we can embarrass him in future" Mafuni gave victory sign. "Mom Misaki is really sensitive; you really don't intend to torture him do you?" Takahiro asked. "Yes I do" Mafuni said with a poker face. "You are evil" Tadahiro sighed.
Hiroki was sitting on the wooden bench and Akihiko was rubbing his wet hair with towel. The brunette was shivering and cursing under his breath. Both eleven year old had come to this particular pseudo-valley for camping. Hiroki wanted to go for some educational trip but Akihiko with his puppy eyes persuaded the former. The girls helping the teachers and were happily ogling Usami Akihiko who had saved Hiroki Kamijou from drowning in the lake. "You sure won hearts of girls" Hiroki mumbled clutching his shirt. "If you had not shown your foolishness to impress girls my chivalry was as invisible as air" Akihiko retorted back. "Who said I dived into water to impress those girls who have no interest in books Bakahiko" Hiroki hissed. "Why did you jump Hiroki?" Akihiko asked. "I jumped for the watermelons. You know I love them right?" Hiroki still shaking was now rubbing his hands. "Are you an idiot? Who goes into water to save watermelons? Give a fool sickle and he shall chop his own feet" Akihiko laughed. "Don't complicate the quotation baka" Hiroki clenched his teeth. "Come Mellon Prince let's get you in to warm clothes" Akihiko pulled Hiroki by his collar and dragged him to their tent.
Later in the afternoon Hiroki was asleep and Akihiko was reading a book by his side and watching over his best friend. A girl peeped inside and Akihiko looked up with a deadpan expression. "Usami-kun are you busy?" the girl with golden hair asked. "No, how may I help you?" Akihiko asked. "Will you leave the tent and come with me?" the girl asked. "I could but Hiroki is asleep it's my duty to look after him" Akihiko smiled. "I promise it won't take much time" the girl said with pleading eyes. "Okay lead the way" Akihiko stood up and fixed the covering of Hiroki. Akihiko walked out and the blonde girl led him near the pool which connected both the banks of the lake. The silver haired boy shoved his hands in his pocket and waited for the girl to proclaim her love. Ever since he joined this school many girls had showed interest in him but Akihiko declined. The eleven year old had kept it hidden from Hiroki as the brunette had a tendency to become his mother. "Usami-kun I really like you. Will you be my boyfriend?"
Hiroki with sudden absence of a cold presence woke up. After lunch the teachers had asked them to take nap. Since Hiroki had the misfortunate with water and felt cold he had fallen asleep. Now waking up alone in the tent seized him with fear. Akihiko had a tendency to roam around and forget the path back. Being friend with the gloomy being for a year Hiroki had learned to become his guardian. So without any thought the younger rushed out of the tent and searched around other tents. But Hiroki knew this boy could cross dimensions in minutes. So Hiroki rushed towards the pool that connected both the banks. Hiroki rushed there and saw Akhiko talking to the blonde girl from their class. The girl was considered as most pretty in their class and the site in front of Hiroki created a sudden pinch in his heart.
As Hiroki looked at both of Akihiko and admirer from distance the blonde girl bowed. "Sorry, I cannot, accept your feelings but thank you" Akihiko said. "Do you have someone Usami-kun?" the girl asked. "No one in particular" Akihiko shook his head. "Is there something I lack?" the girl asked. "I don't like blonde people, I like brunettes" Akihiko was the silver blonde according his mother. The dark coloured hair and dark eyes attracted him. Before Akihkio could move from his place the blonde girl planted a kiss on his lips and the silver head was taken aback. Suddenly his lavender eyes saw a brown haired boy looking at him in confusion and suddenly running away. Akihiko realised it was none other than Hiroki and pushed the girl aside and ran after the brunette.
"Where do you think you are going with your little brother in your arms?" Mafuni held Takahiro by his collar. "Misaki wanted to visit the pool and look at the flowers hanging in air" Takahiro pointed towards the hanging flowers above the pool. "Really Misaki asked you or are you using Misaki to melt my heart young man?" Mafuni smirked and declined both brothers the stroll. "But Misaki was asking for it" Takahiro pouted to a pouting Misaki in his arms. It was indeed true Misaki had time and again tried to walk towards the pool as if something was pulling him. Misaki tried crawling once towards the pool when he realised his new achievement to walk on two feet was of no help. Misaki was kept in arms and being carried from one person to another. Various tents stood besides the Takahashi tent, various families had come here to camp and enjoy the view of the lake. Both brothers were led inside the tent to have lunch and afternoon milk like other children camping near them.
"Hey chap what happened?" Tadahiro asked his elder son who sat near him with a huff. "Mom did not allow us to go to the pool" Takahiro informed his father who was fishing. "She worries you know, you are too young to walk away with Misaki alone" Tadahiro informed. "I know that dad. But I won't drop him from the pool and it's Misaki who wants' to go there, I can feel it" Takahiro laughed. "We know that, you are a nice big brother every kid should have" "I am ten years older than Misaki I can protect him dad" Takahiro protested. "I am sure you can do better job than us" Tadahiro laughed. "You are teasing me" older Takahashi pouted. "Okay after Mom falls asleep I will take you to the pool?" Tadahiro smiled. "You are afraid of mom aren't you dad?" Takahiro laughed. "You have no idea brat"
After the incident near the pool, Akihiko found Hiroki in an overzealous form. Akihiko was now certain that the brunette was avoiding him. Akihiko thought Hiroki must hate him for what he saw. But Hiroki was avoiding the taller because he could not understand the feeling inside his chest. He was angry and worried, he was sad and doubtful, Hiroki was already in love but far from awareness about it. Hiroki knew pretty well that he would break somebody's head or leg if he sat idle. His tendency to over think had started to grow its root. It was safer for Akihiko if Hiroki was busy hence he ended up helping everywhere he thought he was needed. The more Akihiko tried to talk with him the more Hiroki was at distance and giving awkward smiles.
With dinner being served Akihiko formulated a plan to talk with Hiroki. Hiroki who hated washing dishes had volunteered to wash them with other student. It was clear sign that the brunette was avoiding Akihiko. If Akihiko slept in the tent it would be hard for him to wake up. Soon he bade goodnight to his teachers and entered his tent. When he was sure no one was looking at his tent he crept out of the tent and when Hiroki returned hoping to find Akihiko asleep his mind got a death blow. The said sleep loving monster was out of his bed. If Hiroki called the teachers it would create trouble for the silver haired. Hiroki crawled into his makeshift bed and looked for his own torch when he found a note asking him to come near the pool. The brunette in anger stomped out of the tent and tiptoed towards the pool. "One day I will kill him" Hiroki swore under his breath.
Hiroki mumbled and grumbled throughout his walk towards the pool. The feet that took few seconds in afternoon were now taking minutes to reach the same destination. Hiroki knew Akihiko would be in his place so he was dragging his feet as he did not want to talk with him. When it came to confrontation the brunette preferred books. With a heart that experienced first pang of jealousy was now experiencing uncertainty for first time now. In general the confident Kamijou Hiroki was now sulking at the image of a girl kissing Akihiko. At last he stood in front of the bridge and found the silver head waving someone goodbye and Akihiko's back was facing him.
"Smile at Daddy Misaki" Tadahiro was asking Misaki to smile at him, while elder brother held him firmly. Tadahiro took his boys out of the tent when his wife fell asleep. Three men of the Takahashi family were standing on the pool and clicking photographs to add in album name Happy Misaki. "Takahiro come here and let Misaki stand alone" Tadahiro said confidently. "But Dad?" Takahiro tried to protest. "Relax boy, this pool is well secured and you will stay besides him but not in the frame okay?" Tadahiro laughed. "If you say so" Takahiro put down Misaki on centre of the pool and moved towards the left to give enough space. "Misaki stay there" Takahiro smiled and Misaki grinned backed at his brother. "Wow that snap was beautiful" Tadahiro smiled. "How are we going to explain the snaps to mom dad?" Takahiro asked. "You scared cat don't wet my pants now. We will deal with the problem later. Let father and sons enjoy" Tadahiro said with confidence. "Now time for daddy and sons photograph" Tadahiro adjusted the lens and set the timer on the camera and rushed towards his boys. Next second the photograph was taken and Tadahiro looked satisfied. "Let's go boys" Tadahiro directed the boys. "Can we come after five minutes?" Takahiro wanted to pull the flowers for his brother. "I will be waiting below" Tadahiro left.
"Misaki be a good brother and stand here okay" Takahiro started jumping to reach the beautiful hanging white flowers which were glowing like silver stars under the moonlight. Misaki had been craving for those flowers since the morning and now he was eagerly waiting for them. But after few attempts Takahiro failed and his shoelaces got untied. "Misaki brother will get them for you okay, let me tie my shoes okay?" Takahiro bent down to tie his shoe and Misaki's one year old eyes caught something as shiny as the flowers. The toddler with his unsettled legs was soon walking towards the glowing thing under the moonlight. Misaki was giggling and walking fast towards the silver thing. Suddenly Takahiro realised his little brother was walking towards the opposite direction and was out of his hands.
"Misaki don't run, stop Misaki, Misaki" Takahiro yelled. Misaki turned around and gave an innocent smile and the fear in Takahiro's heart grew more. "Misaki" Takahiro's cry reached the ears of the silver head that was sitting on the pool and looking at something with deep thought. Usami Akihiko saw a small toddler with brown hair and eyes with deepest of green giggling and walking towards him while another voice was calling the tyke from behind. Akihiko jumped on his feet and the child caught his feet. The child raised his tiny hands and opened his palm in hope of reaching the silver hair. "You like my hair huh?" Akihiko pulled the child in his arms and the kid was touching his hair in surprise. Akihiko smelled the kid and felt something familiar. Words and stories rush into his mind and the thoughts he had been holding back in his mind were taking shapes. Within moments all his doubts and fear were gone. Akihiko was happy and the tiny fingers playing with his hair made him happy.
"Misaki, are you al-right" Takahiro came panting. "Misaki? Beautiful name. Misaki someone has come to take you away from me" Akihiko informed the child playing with his hair. "I am Misaki's brother, Takahiro. Sorry for the trouble, Misaki has a tendency to go after anything in silver. I assume your hair was glowing too" Takahiro chuckled. "It's okay, Misaki has a pretty smile like someone I know" Akihiko thought of Mafuni the woman he met year back. "Misaki looks like my mother" Takahiro smiled. "Misaki is very friendly baby and my hair charmed Misaki like butterfly looking for flower" Akihiko tried to hand over Misaki to Takahiro. "But, you shouldn't be alone on this pool, at night with little Misaki?" Akihiko asked. "My dad is waiting on the other side of the pool. We came to celebrate Misaki's first birthday you see. I was trying to get those beautiful flowers for him. But I couldn't reach them and Misaki walked towards you" Takahiro laughed. "I see, let me help you" Akihiko being blessed with height on his third attempt grabbed handful of those beautiful white flowers and handed them to Misaki who was now in Takahiro's arms. "Happy birthday Misaki" Akihiko kissed Misaki on the cheek and ruffled his brown hair. As Akihiko planted his kiss, first set of fireflies took their flight and Misaki started to giggle in happiness and both the older kids gawked at the site. "But why are you alone here?" Takahiro asked after the fireflies left. "We came camping from school. So I am safe, you better take your leave, your dad might get worried" Akihiko pointed towards the other side of the pool. "I totally forgot thank you hmm, what's your name?" Takahiro asked. "Akihiko" "Thank you Akihiko for saving Misaki. Goodnight?" Takahiro grabbed Misaki properly and turned around while Misaki did not want to leave Akihiko and was giving sad eyes and Akihiko could never forget those green eyes which were sad for him as he waved them goodbye.
"Akihiko" Hiroki called out to the silver head who was waving bye to a figure diluting in the shadows. "Hiroki you decided to show up?" Akihiko gave a relaxed smile. "Shut up, I was worried so I came" Hiroki mumbled. "Come here" Akihiko directed Hiroki to the place he was standing on. "Aye aye" Hiroki walked towards the centre of the pool and Akihiko held his hand and pulled him on the floor to sit. "Why are we sitting here?" Hiroki asked. "Sssh.. wait few moments" Akihiko hushed his partner in crime. Hiroki did not press the matter as he did not want to bring the topic from afternoon. Hiroki soon began to sulk when Akihiko poked him. "Hiroki look" Hiroki looked up to see the second flight of fireflies flying high and low. Some sat on the white dangling flowers, other sat on Hiroki's hair and Akihiko was chuckling and Hiroki grumbling. Finally they vanished and Hiroki dragged Akihiko to the area where grasses were tall enough to hide them.
"Hiroki" Akihiko broke the silence. "Hmm" Hiroki wanted to avoid the talk. "You saw me in the afternoon didn't you?" Akihiko asked. "Yes" Hiroki replied in one word to suppress his confusion. "Are you angry with me?" Akihiko asked in his deadpan voice. "Not exactly, but I am not happy for sure" Hiroki informed. "You did not hear me talk right?" "No" Hiroki shook his head. "I didn't kiss her own my own accord Hiroki" Akihiko turned Hiroki around. "I am not blind Akihiko, I saw her kiss you and you were stunned" Hiroki spanked Akihiko's head. "But something is eating you up Hiroki?" Akihiko poked his best friend. "Well you have a tendency to kiss people whenever you want so I might not totally agree with what I saw and Kamiya-chan is the prettiest girl in our class" Hiroki mumbled. "That can be reasoned" Akihiko chuckled. "I don't like girls that way Hiroki" Akihiko informed. "I know moron. But you might like girls in future" Hiroki elbowed Akihiko. "I know and I am confident I don't like girls that way" Akihiko chuckled.
"Okay, I get it. But if in future you come to ask me to be your best man and I find you are marrying a woman. Trust me you will be dead" Hiroki laughed. "It will never happen" saying this Akihiko like several other time pulled Hiroki by his chin and kissed him before the brunette could register. Akihiko crooked his lips upward against Hiroki's and Hiroki pushed him away. "How many times have I told you not to kiss me without asking me?" Hiroki was hitting Akihiko on the head. "May I kiss you Hiroki?" Akihiko mumbled. "Shut up humbug" Hiroki wiped his lips with his palm. "So Hiroki you don't hate me do you?" Akihiko asked. "Huh? Why will I hate you? For the incident in afternoon? Nope I don't hate you. But for the kiss right now I want to kill you" Hiroki glared. "But you like my kiss" Akihiko laughed. "Wait a second Akihiko" Hiroki mumbled. "What is it Hiroki?" the silver haired boy asked. "Kiss me again" Hiroki said absentmindedly. "Are you sure?" Akihiko asked at sudden change. "Do it" Hiroki asked him and Akihiko again placed his lips on Hiroki's with more care and less force and after few seconds they pulled away. "You are happy?" Hiroki said pulling Akihiko up by the hand. "How did you know?" Akihiko asked as they both tiptoed into their tent. "I just know it. Don't ask" Hiroki with red cheeks hid under his cover and Akihiko who had kissed Hiroki was laughing in his mind. When he kissed Hiroki he had the image of similar brunette in his mind with deep green eyes and this made him happy. Akihiko was surprised Hiroki caught his emotions so fast.
Twenty three years later
"Look Misaki" Akihiko curled his hand around Misaki's waist and pointed towards the fireflies dancing in the air. "Wow they are so beautiful Usagi-san" Misaki was giving a very familiar look which Akihiko had registered in his mind. "We have a story related to this place you know" Akihiko smiled. "Really how many stories do we have Usagi-san?" Misaki asked with a confused look. "On this pool I met you for third time and Takahiro for first time" Usami informed. "I bet poor Kamijou sensei was here too trying to protect you" Misaki laughed. "Yup, funny thing is I remember this place properly and Hiroki has erased its memory" Akihiko laughed. "He has Nowaki-san, anybody will forget years of torture with you, if they find an angel like him" Misaki laughed. "I met you here that is why I recall this place" Akihiko laughed. "Sadly I don't" Misaki kissed Akihiko on the cheeks. "I knew it you would say it so I brought proof" Akihiko pulled out a photograph in which a shadowy figure was sitting behind Misaki who was standing alone and laughing. The figure clearly had silver hair and was looking at something with concentration. "Nii-chan gave you the photograph right? Ever since we told them about us they have become too happy to conspire against me" Misaki pouted and Akihiko kissed him on the forehead. "Misaki it was not Takahiro who sent the photographs" Akihiko smiled. "Who was it then?" Misaki asked. "It's Manami-chan" Akihiko chuckled and Misaki hated that his sister-in-law was betraying him.
Disclaimer- I can never own Junjou Romantica
SariaHisako like always your words make me happy I like reading your stories and it's an honour you read me.
Gretashipper123, thank you for reciprocating to Mitza's recommendation and reading the story.
Alana-kittychan you have many thank you from me for reading this story and giving the review.
Ivoryrose777 thank you for the kawaii and favourite. If I can promise you anything with this story, that will be fluff. I love happy endings and everything nice.
HelloMyOneAndOnly, MuseofdaArts thank you for the follow and favourite.
Like I promised you will see lot of Hiroki. I got two complains that its about Akihiko and Misaki not Hiroki and Akihiko. Trust me it's my story I know what I am doing sisters hehe. Let me make it clear again, its about the journey that leads to Misaki and Hiroki has an important part to play in Akihiko's life I feel. Remember Hiroki offered to become substitute for Takahiro. You really think Hiroki suddenly came one day and said let me be your substitute bottom. In later chapters we will focus on Akihiko's love towards Takahiro this will be balanced with Hiroki's. Okay I have spelled enough and yes it will be a long fic so I will update like a lazy snail.
pool*- small bridge made of wood or stones, do not confuse with swimming pool okay.
Reviews make me happy and PM me if you want to complain about the story or you have some fluffy idea I could put to use *_*