Chapter Text
Kakeru had been stumbling around the apartment the whole day, thinking about his small, situation. It wasn’t actually small per say, more like a thought that never wanted to fade away.
When the thought appeared, he would go all warm and his insides would make him feel sick. It just never went away. Nights were the worst since that was when the dreams started and he couldn’t control them. He would wake up with the same warm, tingling feelings in his stomach, but also in other areas.
This had been going on the last month and he couldn’t for the love of him, figure out why. He had been living with the team just over six months, and he finally felt like part of the team. Sure, the first few months were hard since Kakeru felt like someone who didn’t like to make friends, and also had a very hard time socializing with people he didn’t know. There was also the case of going to the onsen with his team without ever feeling embarrassed. Not because they were all nude, but there was always someone in particular who would make him more embarrassed than he usually was.
He shook the thought away, and made his way out of the kitchen. Continuing to shake off the thought, his face appeared in his mind again creating that same fluttering sensation in his belly. He loved the sensation, but couldn’t quite grasp the meaning behind it. Sure, he had contemplated if it were the feeling he thought it was, but he wouldn’t know that. He had never felt that feeling before, especially for someone of the same sex as him.
He found himself standing outside of Yuki’s room. Could Yuki help him with his situation? He doubted it. Yuki only went out clubbing, he never brought a girl home to the apartment. Let alone discussed the matters of having feelings for anyone. All he knew about were one night stands and having fun. Kakeru wasn’t looking for a one night stand. He wanted answers.
Along the journey through the apartment, Kakeru found himself standing outside of Aki’s room. Aki was older, he must be wiser too? Women were always on Aki’s mind, Kakeru thought. But so was Yuki. He smiled when he thought about all the bantering that goes on between those two. If if weren’t obvious to them, then no one would notice. He continued down the hall.
Shindou’s room made Kakeru’s view. He remembered he had a girlfriend once, earlier this year. The sad thing was they broke up, but Kakeru never learned why. He felt it wasn’t his place to barge in and ask, especially when he really wanted to discuss his situation.
The Jou twins were always talking about cute girls in front of Kakeru, but he knew something was going on between them and Hana-chan. Who did she like out of the two was hard to tell, both the Jou twins were awesome. Kakeru felt sorry for Hana-chan, if she had to choose in the end, one of them would be left broken. His hand found the door to the Jou twins and made a fist. That would have to be a problem to solve for later.
Kakeru always felt grateful to be with Musa. He always had something nice to say to him, if it were either running tips or just a nice conversation to ease any tension. How he wanted to knock on Musa’s door to ask for help, but yet, it wasn’t his door he felt he had to knock.
Up the stairs he spotted King’s door. A sudden sadness washed over him as he had never felt he had any friendship with King. He was always busy with his studies, or thinking about being able to run the marathon. There was never room for a talk with Kakeru, although Kakeru promised to be his friend once this little situation of his was solved.
At last he found the right door. He stood outside thinking about what he was going to ask, or how he was going to ask for help. He needed advice, and the only person he knew of who could give him any advice on this matter was behind this door. He knocked.
«Come in.» A quiet voice sounded from the other side.
Kakeru gently slid the door to the side and found Prince sitting peacefully in a corner with a shoujo manga close to his face. Kakeru knew he had chosen correct.
«Prince. Hey, I was wondering if you could help me with something?» Kakeru started, a shaky breath coming from him.
Prince eyed the dark haired boy curiously and put down his manga. He then pat the end of the futon for Kakeru to sit down.
Kakeru slid the door closed and took a seat.
«Is it about the marathon because I don’t think I can help you with that. But, if you want manga recommendations, you’ve come to the right place.» A weak smile found its way to the pale boy.
«You know a lot about love right?» Kakeru started, and noticed Prince making a confused stare.
«I guess, but I know only what I’ve read from manga. Why?» Prince answered, tilting his head to the side.
«Are you in love, Kakeru?» He then asked before Kakeru had a chance to think of an answer himself.
Once Prince asked, Kakeru felt his cheeks flood with warmth. Was he in love? No, it couldn’t be love, but something similar? Kakeru tried to think of any possible answer, but it was something he was hoping Prince could answer for him.
«I don’t know, yet.» Kakeru simply said, his nerves getting to him. He could feel his whole body tremble at the thought of finally opening up about this.
«Who is it?» Prince asked, still confused but slightly happy, his weak smile still finding his pale face.
«I’d rather keep that secret for now. But, I came to you for advice.»
«Okay, what kind of advice? I’ve never been in love with a real person before, but I’ll try to dig into my shoujo expertise and find some kind of advice for you.» His hand found Kakeru’s trembling shoulder, which calmed him down. He knew he wasn’t alone about this.
«That would be great. I was wondering, how…uhm…how do you confess to someone?» Kakeru asked, his voice sounding all kinds of jumbled.
A finger found Prince’s mouth, a low hum sounding from him. «Usually you find the person you like and say right to them that you love them, or you could write a love letter?» He said, thinking if this advice was okay.
Kakeru nodded to his advice and urged him to go on.
«You could always ask them out on a date without them knowing it’s a date.» Prince then said, and that advice sounded like something right up Kakeru’s alley. He nodded vigorously to that idea.
«Really? I think it would be easiest to just tell the person that you like them. But, if we’re doing it shoujo style, then this can be a good plan.» Prince smiled, his teeth showing.
«How do I ask this person out without letting them know it’s a date?» Kakeru asked, fiddling with his hands and giving Prince a pleading look for more help.
Prince was enjoying this and felt like he had the upper hand for once. He wasn’t good at running like Kakeru, but he knew how to give shoujo manga advice. He crossed his arms, holding his head up hight. He might think he looked all cool in front of his friend, but with his bangs in a clip and wearing a three day old t-shirt, he knew he looked every bit as a manga nerd. Kakeru luckily, couldn’t follow on to that and just gave him a desperate look for help.
«You just ask if they want to go to their favorite spot together, or go to a place you know both you like to hang out. Get it?» Prince asked.
Kakeru nodded and understood what he meant. «Thank you, Prince. I think that will do. But…»
«What now?» Prince tersely said, wanting to go back to his manga.
«What do we do on the date that’s not a date?»
Prince could see how much this was eating Kakeru. He could tell he really liked this person, but was too embarrassed and frightened by the thought of just confessing. Sure, it hurt to have a one-sided love, but nothing was better than to get confirmation on their crush or love or whatever. Prince simply shook his head.
«You confess, either during the date or some other time. Kakeru, you can’t just go on pretend dates with this person and never confess. That wouldn’t be fair to you or this person. You would end up being sad and the person you like would never know your feelings. So, like I said, some time if you ever man up to yourself. You’re gonna have to confess, and my advice is to do it sooner than later.» Prince was done, he caught his manga next to him and traced the pages, leaving Kakeru to digest all the advice he was able to muster for him.
Kakeru grabbed Prince’s knee and squeezed. «Thank you, Prince. I knew I chose right.» He smiled.
«I think I heard something down in the kitchen, can you check it out and not bother me anymore. I’m really into this manga.» Prince said, done with this now.
When Kakeru reached his door, Prince smiled into his manga. He knew well who Kakeru had a crush on, and looked forward to how this was going to play out.