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Spring
The cherry blossoms swirl around their heads as Mitsuba and Kou make their way through the trees stationed just outside the school. As they softly entwine their fingers, they turn to look at each other, faces flushed. Kou raises his free hand to brush off the petals that have collected in Mitsuba’s hair. The trickle down the side of his pale face, and Mitsuba smiles as he leans into Kou’s hand. Sitting on the blanket Kou brought for them, they begin to watch the cherry blossoms with the other students. As Mitsuba is invisible to them, the other students must think Kou is crazy, but the exorcist boy isn’t sad. He’s elated that he gets to spend time with his favorite boy. They sit in comfortable silence as the sounds of spring and the soft chattering of other students surround them.
Summer
As Hanako and Yashiro dart off to do god-knows-what, the exorcist and pink-haired ghost are left behind together. The Tanabata Star Festival is in full swing around them, and they can’t help but get caught up in the spirit of the festival. Even though Kou is one of the only humans in this boundary, Mitsuba makes him feel safe and at ease as they joyfully run around, buying from stands and trying their hands at the games. They stop at the can-shooting game, letting go of each other just long enough for Kou to pick up the toy gun. To Mitsuba’s surprise, Kou is a crack-shot at this game, hitting can after can after can. Bashfully, Kou hands over his prize to him. Mitsuba gently holds the soft pink bear with a yellow ribbon around its neck like it's his most prized possession. In fact, it might be.
It reminds me of you Kou tells him shyly.
Because it’s pink?
No, the blond boy smiles, because it’s adorable.
Autumn
Mitsuba sits, lonely, watching the leaves fall to the ground outside of the window. Nothing ever feels bright when he’s not next to Kou. Instead, he sees the leaves not as red and yellows and oranges, but instead dull shades of brown. He hears his name being called and turns around. As he locks eyes with the one he loves, his world bursts right back into color.
Are you ready? He asks, as though Mitsuba hadn’t been ready all day.
They beam as they slowly meander to the back of the school, where large piles of leaves have been raked. Kou smiles a devious smile, and before Mitsuba has time to protest, arms wrap around his waist and pull him down into the nearest pile. He shrieks and tries to pull away, but the taller boy will not let go. They settle down into the pile, staring up at the sky as it slowly darkens.
Nothing could be better than this they think, as they close their eyes; arms wrapped around each other.
Winter
The students of Kamome Academy run around, shrieking as they fling snow at each other, and spirits are no exception. After building a snowman with hanako and Yashiro, Mistuba picks up some snow. Briefly, a mischievous idea comes over him, and before he knows it, he’s flinging snow at Kou. A full-blown snowball fight begins, continuing only until Mitsuba throws himself at Kou, tackling him down to the soft snowdrifts below them. Mitsuba lies on top of Kou, smiling down at him.
I win!
Every time
And every time, whether during the spring, summer, autumn, or winter, one will look deeply into the other’s eyes, and tell them exactly how they feel.
I love you.