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The anxiety was welling up again. Karamatsu couldn’t help but worry every time this happened. And it happened a lot. He could tell the anxiety wasn’t his own, as he could always tell, but that made it worse. What was causing his darling such anxiety so often?
He forced himself to push the worry down, focus on calm, relaxing emotions, hoping the other could feel them.
It seemed to help a bit, the worry slowly ebbing away, though not entirely. He smiled, relieved he could help his future beloved in any way he could. He looked forward to the day he could provide physical comfort as well.
He glanced at the clock. He’d convinced his friend Todomatsu to take him to a mixer tonight. It was one of the scenarios he figured could cause anxiety. Meeting new people. It was also a popular way to find your soulmate. Attend enough and you’ll meet more and more people, get invited to more and more mixers, you’re sure to find your soulmate eventually!
He’d also tried rides at amusement parks, taking back alleys, going to Hello Work, going to over-crowded areas, everything he could think of. If only he knew what caused their anxiety, that would narrow it down. But it happened so often, it seemed like everything caused it.
Poor thing.
Karamatsu looked in the mirror. Usually, when he dressed to meet his soulmate, he went all-out with his perfect fashion, but he’d promised Todomatsu he’d tone it down tonight.
He wore a casual pair of jeans, his favourite belt with the skull buckle, a tight white tank top (to show off how hard he worked on his body), and his beloved leather jacket.
He had to forego his shades, as Totty put those on the ‘no’ list.
He applied his new and actually expensive cologne, just enough, like his friend taught him. He fixed his hair again, smirked at his reflection and, with a wink, deemed himself ready.
He was about 10 minutes early, when that anxiety spiked, this time with guilt.
HIs worry distracted him, and before he could even try to focus on positive feelings, a green blur ran past him toward the room he was about to enter.
The blur, a man wearing a green plaid shirt and khakis, paused at the door and nearly shouted “Sorry I’m late!”
Karamatsu heard Todomatsu laugh shortly. “Ah, Choromatsu! No need to apologize, you’re early.” He sounded irritated or embarrassed, he must’ve been the one who invited this ‘Choromatsu’.
Choromatsu entered, about to close the door, when Karamatsu caught it.
“I am here as well, dear Totty!” He announced proudly.
“Oh, and Karamatsu! You made it, great… Come on in, you two sit here.”
The two moved to sit beside Todomatsu, Karamatsu in the middle. Three girls sat across from them , and Todomatsu introduced them all. Each met eyes with every introduction, waiting for that tell tale spark of emotion.
Disappointingly, none came.
Finally, it was the boys’ turn.
“I’m Todomatsu, you can call me Totty!” He paused, meeting eyes with all five of them, then frowned slightly, before reverting to his cat-like smile.
“This is Karamatsu,” he barely paused long enough for Karamatsu to meet eyes with two of the girls before he continued, “and Choromatsu.”
Karamatsu turned to look at Choromatsu for the first time, briefly distracted by the familiar flare of anxiety, when he met the other’s eyes.
Euphoria exploded in his chest, twofold. His eyes went wide, the feeling was so good he almost couldn’t breathe. They stared at each other for longer than either realized.
Distantly, he heard giggles, whoo’s, and a quiet ‘no way…’
When the feeling settles down into barely contained bliss, Karamatsu felt tears in his eyes.
“I’m so happy to finally meet you,” he said, lacking his usual flair, but letting out his true voice, packed with genuine emotion.
“I-I’m happy to meet you too!” The other squeaked, a lovely v-shaped smile on his lips.
“This is so cute,” one of the girls whispered, followed by annoyed shushing, breaking the spell. Karamatsu looked around awkwardly, and cleared his throat.
“I do apologize, Todomatsu. Would you,” he paused, not wanting to make the decision without consulting his new love. Choromatsu blushed and nodded, his excitement strong enough to be shared through their connection. “Would you excuse us?”
Totty glared, then sighed, then smiled.
“Yeah, yeah. Go get to know each other. Congratulations, you two!”
The girls all cheered encouragement, and Karamatsu blushed. He stood and held his hand out, bowing to assist Choromatsu, who took it, flushing even redder.
“Shall we”
Choromatsu nodded.
They left the room, the building hand in hand, walking off into the sunset together.