Chapter Text
It rained last night, and the sunset lived in every puddle. The air felt cleaner, and Chibita breathed in to calm himself down.
He couldn't stop thinking about yesterday. How Karamatsu laughed at all of his awful jokes, how he smiled so sincerely. It gave Chibita a new confidence, one that would help him finally talk to Karamatsu.
His nervousness only grew as the time did.
He wasn't sure what time Karamatsu would come around, but the sun had nearly set and he was still alone.
He started to get anxious, wondering if Karamatsu would even turn up. He shook his head, he was probably just running late. But there was something in his mind telling him that he had scared Karamatsu off.
He sighed, and walked around his oden stand to sit alone. He sat there for a while, and was nearly ready to give it up and call it a day when he heard footsteps coming closer.
"Ah, Karamatsu! I almost thought you ditched me," Chibita patted the empty spot beside him, inviting Karatsu to sit.
"I'm sorry," Although it was dark out, Karamatsu still had his sunglasses on. "I didn't mean to be so late,"
Chibita could only smile, happy that Karamatsu showed up at all.
There was an awkward pause, like both of them had something to say but neither could manage to speak up. Karamatsu sighed and took off his sunglasses, putting them in his pocket.
"Chibita," His voice was low and serious, and Chibita almost jumped at the sound of it. "I have something I'd like to talk about,"
Chibita's heart began to race, could Karamatsu finally trust him?
"Am I... am I a bad person?"
Chibita was taken by surprise.
"Of course you're not a bad person! Karamatsu-"
"I try to be liked, but I don't know who I am. I feel like I'm empty, I can't find a personality for myself, and everybody hates it..."
Chibita was upset that Karamatsu felt that way about himself. Being stomped all over by his brothers and his peers- Chibita could really tell that it had butchered his self esteem.
"Karamatsu, you're not empty. Everything about you is amazing, I don't care what anybody says-"
"My brothers," Karamatsu took a deep, shaky breath. "I love my brothers dearly, but sometimes it feels like they don't appreciate me in the same way... I feel like, like they hate me,"
Chibita felt awful. Everything Karamatsu did for his brothers, and it was completely unfair how they treated him. How could they be so cruel to him? He only ever had love to give.
But nobody ever loved him back.
Chibita took a moment, wondering what he should say.
"The hell," He turned away. "Whatever, I'll love you for all of them, then,"
His heart raced, and his cheeks were hot. He was scared to death of what expression might be on Karamatsu's face.
He heard a sniffle.
As he turned around, he saw Karamtsu. His cheeks were pink and his eyes were watery, and he let out a broken laugh.
"Don't lie to me, Chibita-"
"I'm not lying, Karamatsu, I..." Chibita's wide eyes met Karamatu's. "I... I'll love you."
"Chibita-"
"I love you,"
They stared at each other for a couple of moments, and tears started rolling down Karamatsu's cheeks.
Chibita hugged him tightly, and Karamatsu shook with sobs. Chibita had tears welling up in his eyes, and tried his best to hold them back.
They stayed like that for a while, and when Karamatsu finally calmed down, Chibita made two bowls of oden for them.
They didn't talk while they ate, but silently enjoyed each other's company. They didn't talk as Chibita cleaned up, but as soon as he was finished, Karamatsu stood up.
"Chibita,"
Chibita looked up at him. It was completely dark out now, and the stars shone brightly. The warm light coming from his oden stand lit up Karamatsu's face, and he could see a his cheeks turn pink.
"Thank you, for everything,"
"Idjit, you don't have to thank me,"
Chibita smiled sheepishly as a blush spread across his cheeks.
Karamtsu reached down, and gently slid his hand down Chibita's cheek to his chin, and slowly leaned down to press his lips against Chibita's.
Chibita felt like he was on fire, and it was the best he had ever felt. He stood on his toes to share the kiss for just a second longer.
Karamatsu let his hand drop, and stood back.
Chibita was speechless.
"Heh," Karamatsu whipped his sunglasses back on. "Looks like I've fallen for you,"
Chibita knew the line was cheesy, but the words made him absolutely joyous.
"I-I-Idjit... I told you not to say stuff like that,"
Karamatsu smiled gently.
"Well, it's about time I headed home,"
Chibita grabbed his hand before he could turn away.
"Wait, Karamatsu... Will you come back tomorrow?"
He gave Chibita's hand a gentle squeeze, and nodded.
"Of course, Chibita, I promise"
And he left Chibita with that promise to hold onto.