The rest of the day passed without any further problems. Art spent it in bed as an excuse not to have to talk to anyone, Nice and Murasaki hung out in the latter's room and played video games which Nice won all of, Honey and Koneko went shopping as usual and came back later with five bags each full of random crap, and Ratio and Birthday slept most of the time but occasionally got up to fetch snacks from the cafeteria. Out of everyone, they seemed to be the most hungover.
Hiding under the thick covers of his bed, Art scribbled a note to someone on a piece of paper. With his left hand of course, so no-one knew it was from him. For some reason he missed Nice. Did he expect himself not to though? The two of them were together every minute of every day almost, and for the brunette to not be around felt… strange. Like a part of him was missing. Even though Art knew it wasn't true, he somehow convinced himself that Nice wasn't here because he was avoiding him. Then suddenly, everything caught up to him. Drinking too much at the party, Nice being so kind to him and carrying him back to his room, seeing him and Murasaki together. And this time, tears didn't only fall. Art cried. He was surprised it didn't disturb anyone at first, but then Honey walked in hand-in-hand with Koneko. Seeing them as a happy couple only made him cry harder.
"Art? Are you okay?" the brunette asked from the door. Art didn't even make an attempt at nodding. It would be a lie after all. To his surprise, both girls closed the door and walked over to sit at the foot of his bed, and neither of them said a word. Tears ceased to fall down Art's pale cheeks and he looked up at them both, startled.
"Tell us what's up. Maybe we could help." the blonde stated, and unusually kind note to her voice. Art had always thought of her as quite hostile and harsh, but maybe that was wrong. Maybe they really could help. They both, especially Honey, seemed to be experts in the regions of first love. He quickly slipped the scribbled-on piece of paper on his pillow and dried his eyes, sitting up to face the two girls in front of him.
"I'm fine, really, he smiled at them, just a little tired." That was not what he was meant to say. Fortunately, Honey and Koneko got the message and the latter's brows knitted together in concern.
"No, you aren't. Is it about… Nice, perhaps?" Art startled a bit, then nodded bashfully. Honey placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You don't have to tell us coz I'm sure everything will work out fine in the end, but we might be able to help you. Or at least, make you feel a bit better." she said this without a hint of doubt or disbelief, convincing Art that he definitely could trust them. Speaking slowly and shyly, he gave them a full, despite quite short, recount of what had happened. Both girls nodded a few times, taking in every single thing he said.
"I don't think they were kissing, Art, Koneko disagreed, Nice would never do that to you." Art nodded.
"But I don't have any proof that he wouldn't." he sulked. Honey shook her head.
"You have plenty of proof. Nice loves you so much, at that Art blushed lightly, he wouldn't betray you like that. Think of all the affectionate actions he has addressed to you. Koneko and I have both been witnesses to many of them, and I think that by itself is enough proof." It was Art's turn to listen now. Koneko nodded in approval.
"Yes, I agree. Whether it seems like it or not, Nice is in love with you, Art. It's clear."
Nice dropped the controller to the floor and closed his eyes, letting out a long, tired sigh.
"Hmm? What's wrong?" Murasaki asked. Nice looked down at the floor and blushed.
"I miss Art. I wish he would tell me what was wrong. I wish we could be friends again." At this, Murasaki shook his head and placed a hand on Nice's shoulder.
"Don't say that. Art probably just has a headache from yesterday. Nothing could ever happen to stop you two being friends, he loves you so much." Nice's head shot up and he looked the taller boy in the eyes.
"Did you say he loves me?" he asked, his voice louder than it should have been. Murasaki closed his eyes and nodded solemnly.
"Whether you like it or not. Just hope it doesn't ruin your friendship, but he's deeply in love with you." Nice placed a hand over Murasaki's on his shoulder and smiled.
"Thank you so much Murasaki. You probably don't know what you've done, but you really helped me." and with that, he stood up and left.
"Whether it seems like it or not, Nice is in love with you."
"Whether you like it or not, Art is deeply in love with you."
Meanwhile, Birthday awoke for about the fifth time that day and rubbed his eyes blearily.
"Mm Ratio…? What time is it?" he mumbled, wondering to himself why he was quite so tired. Probably due to the countless nights spent awake studying for the end-of-term exams with Ratio, or the night after the exams staying up late drinking. Yeah it was definitely that. Looking up, he saw that Ratio was sitting at his desk pouring over a novel.
"It's one o'clock, Birthday." he stated, not once looking up from his book. Maybe he had an in-built clock or something. Birthday nodded and stood up, flattening out the fabric of his uniform shirt. He walked over to Ratio and wrapped his arms around the dark-haired boy's neck.
"Ratiooo… he whined, pay attention to me." Ratio chuckled and shut the book, turning around in Birthday's embrace to face him.
"Okay fine, I will. What do you want me to do?" maybe he would regret asking that, for the blond had a tendency to get him into things he really didn't enjoy, or maybe he wouldn't. Birthday smirked.
"What do you think?" he asked, pulling Ratio by his tie until their lips touched. Normally he would complain about the alcohol on Birthday's breath, but at this point was he really one to comment? He reciprocated the kiss and wrapped his arms around the blond's neck, enjoying the warmth of the other's lips against his.
Nice walked slowly and hesitantly back to his room, nervousness suddenly enveloping him. What if Art wasn't actually in love with him? What if he really didn't want to be touched or cared for by him anymore? It broke Nice's heart. But well, he was going to confess, and if Art didn't feel the same way or it made him angry, Nice could always move in with Murasaki. Opening the door slowly and quietly he slipped into his room, then jumped at the sight that met his eyes. Honey and Koneko were both sitting on Art's bed, and he was talking to them with a wide smile on his face. Though Nice could clearly see that just underneath that smile he was hiding fear and nervousness, too.
"A-Art, he started, I… uh… have something to tell you." The two girls stood up from the bed and made their way to the door. Nice could have sworn Honey mouthed "good luck" to him on her way past. He walked over to the smaller boy's bed and bowed his head. How the hell am I supposed to do this?!
"Art… um… I-" he was cut off by one of Art's pale fingers over his lips.
"Don't say anything, Nice. I know." Art thanked his cheeks for not erupting into a million shades of red. He secured a firm grip on the collar of Nice's shirt and gently pulled down, but only until their noses touched. That was when his concealed blush rose to the surface, and he cursed himself this time. But Nice's face was just so close. I he just tilted his head to the right angle they would kiss, and his dream would finally come true. But he didn't have to initiate anything. Nice cupped his cheeks in his hands and pressed his lips to Art's firmly, yet so gently as if he was made of glass. Made of glass, just like his heart. His heart that had almost shattered.
"I know… Art continued, but I want to hear you say it." Nice smirked.
"I love you." he mouthed, but Art pouted and shook his head, "What?! Was that not good enough? I really poured my heart out into that, y'know?" Nice exclaimed.
"I said I want to hear you say it, not mouth it." Art explained, and the brunette erupted into laughter.
"Ha! Way to ruin the moment, Art." he sank down to kneel on the carpet and rested his head on Art's lap, letting out a long, heartfelt sigh. The lilac-haired boy trailed his fingers through Nice's silky hair and down his tanned cheeks.
"Wow, that was stressful. I'm glad it came out good though, Art commented, ah! I have one thing to… um… clear up first." Nice hummed in response.
"What is it?" Art cleared his throat and looked away.
"What were you doing with Murasaki yesterday evening?" the brunette raised his eyebrows in surprise, then furrowed them in the memory of their argument.
"We were arguing… Why?" he questioned.
"Because… it looked like you were… kissing. Uh I mean! What were you arguing about?" Nice laughed again and sat back on his knees to look Art in the eyes, gripping his frail hands in his own. He tried to tame back the smile that crept onto his lips as he spoke.
"We weren't kissing. Why would we? We were arguing about… well, you know the new kids who are coming? Art shook his head, oh, well there are gonna be some new kids here, and we were arguing about who the boy would share a room with. Since Murasaki is alone in his room I thought he could share be he doesn't want to, and ugh it was complicated." Nice let out a long breath, and replaced his neutral expression with a sincere smile.
"But that doesn't matter now. I love you, and that's all that matters." Art dropped to the floor and strangled Nice in a tight hug, letting out a small sob.
"I love you too." he whispered.