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"The name's Miguno. Nice to meet y'all!"
Fuck.
The moment I lay my eyes on him, it feels like something awakened within me.
Well, kinda.
I already know I swing that way. I know it’s true, no matter how much I try to deny it. Doesn’t mean I’m still not trying. But seeing this cute hyena just confirms it. It's like slamming a sledgehammer into an already fragile wall.
The cutie—who's apparently called Miguno—finishes introducing himself to the others. He extends his hand towards me.
“Your name’s Durham, yeah? Nice to meet you!”
I accept his hand and shake it. It feels nice. Warm, soft.
Shit.
I let go of his hand. I want to, but I can’t keep holding it. My mind’s telling me I shouldn’t.
“So it’s Durham, Collot, Voss, and… Jack, right?” asks Miguno, pointing at each of us as he says our name.
I nod, and so do the others.
“There’s also Legosi, he’s just not here right now,” adds Jack. “Oh, and he’s a wolf.”
Miguno hums. “Okay.” He put on a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his head. “Anyway, it might be weird having a hyena as your dorm mate, but I hope we can still get along.”
“Oh, sure thing, dude,” says Collot. He pats Miguno’s shoulder. “As long as you’re cool, I don’t think any of us care what you are. Canine or whatever.”
Miguno beams in response.
Fuck. Shit. My heart has just skipped a beat. His smile is gorgeous, too gorgeous. I can feel my face heating up, so I look away. The last thing I want is this hyena catching me flustered while I'm around him. I’m sure he didn’t notice. At least, I hope so.
Soon, we all go back to unboxing and moving around our stuff.
The dorm room is quite tiny, considering it’s supposed to house six animals. Sure, one of us is a small fennec fox, but still.
With the task being mindless, I let my mind run wherever to keep myself entertained.
Hmm, playing a new game sounds nice. Been playing only the same one lately. Maybe when I have the time.
My stomach grumbles. Oh yeah, it’s about time for lunch. Wonder what they have at the cafeteria today. Anything sounds good, to be honest. I just wanna eat.
I catch Miguno shuffling around from the corner of my eye. He’s humming to himself while carrying a few boxes inside the room. Without me willing it, my eyes go up to see his face. I wanna see his smile aga—
I stamp that thought down as soon as it appeared. Can’t let it slip in. This is wrong. I shouldn’t be feeling like this whenever I see a guy. Yet I can’t stop replaying that smile I saw over and over in my head.
My cheeks are heating up again. Great. For fuck's sake, I'vejust met the guy. I put down the last box I was carrying with a huff.
It’s just a crush. A momentary one. It’ll pass, like always. Stay far away and don’t let the feelings fester. It’ll hurt less that way.
Someone approaches me from behind. “Hey, you okay?” they ask, putting a hand on my shoulder. I turn around to see who it—
It’s Miguno. Of course it’s him.
I shake my head and put on a friendly smile. “I’m fine. Why?”
“Well, your face’s been red for a while. You sick or something?” asks Miguno, his hand leaving my shoulder. I already miss the touch.
“Like I said, I’m fine. It’s just… uh,” I pause. What's a good excuse? “Hot. It’s just hot right now. Yeah, that’s why.”
Please buy it. Please buy it.
He seems to hesitate, as if he’s deliberating whether to push further or to drop the subject. He shrugs. “If you say so.”
Phew.
His mouth curls up to a soft smile. “But tell me if you need any help, alright? I know we just met, but I’m here if you need me.”
I nod, answering his smile with my own. He seems to appreciate that since his smile widens slightly.
He walks away, going back to his own pile of belongings.
I sigh in relief. Safe, for now.
Finally, classes are over.
I yawn, not bothering to cover my mouth with my hand. Can’t wait to just lay down on my bed and snooze off. I need it. But something's gnawing on me. Feels like I'm forgetting something.
Ah, right. Homework. The bane of my existence. Why do they have to give us so many of them? And they're so hard too! I know this is an elite school, but jeez. They need to give us a break.
It’s only been a few months since I studied here, but I can already tell this is only the tip of the iceberg of what's coming.
I groan.
Fuck it, don’t care. A nap. Nap nap nap. A nap’s what I need right now.
I turn around the corner. I can see my dorm’s door, the number 701 written on it, down the hallway. My steps get faster as I get closer. Bed~!
I put my hand on the door knob. My ears perk up before I turn it. Muffled sounds are coming from inside the room. It sounds like… a guitar? Is he playing again?
The door opens with a creak. I enter and find what—or in this case who—is making that noise. It’s Miguno. Like always, he’s sitting by the window with his acoustic guitar. The gentle lighting coming from outside makes him look like some sort of angel. Not like he isn’t.
I feel my body relax as I hear his music. The tunes he plays are usually like this one. Nice, relaxing, soothing. Kinda like his personality.
I look around. Doesn’t seem like anyone else is here yet.
The tune stops.
“Hey, you’re back!” says Miguno with a grin. “You’re back earlier than usual today."
I hum and walk over to my bed. “Didn’t want to make any detours.” I drop my bag on the floor, next to the ladder.
“I see. Sleepy?”
I was about to answer, but instead a yawn comes out when I open my mouth.
He snorts. “Sleepy it is."
"Yeah, yeah," I mumble. I climb onto my bed, the one above Miguno’s. “G’night.”
“It’s the afternoon.”
“G’afternoon.”
Miguno laughs. “G’afternoon, dude.”
I close the privacy curtain once I get on. Miguno starts playing his guitar again as I get comfortable. I lay on my side. This way, I can still hear him with one of my ears.
Minutes pass by. I sink deeper into my bed. My eyelids grow heavy. I close my eyes and can feel myself drifting off to sleep.
The guitar stops.
Huh?
I open my eyes, slowly. I poke my head out from the curtains. Miguno’s still sitting by the window, but he’s not playing anymore.
“Why’d you stop playing?” I ask, my voice groggy.
He raises his eyebrows in surprise when he sees me—or I guess my head—poking out. Probably didn’t expect me to still be awake.
“Didn’t want to disturb your sleep."
I rub my eyes, stifling a yawn. “But it helps.”
“It does?” he asks, his tone hopeful.
I hum in agreement.
He seems to perk up from that. Damn, does he look cute being all giddy like that.
He picks up his guitar. “I’ll be playing again then. You won’t mind, will you?”
I can’t help but chuckle at the question. “I said it helps.”
“O-oh, yeah.” He giggles.
Even hearing his laugh makes me feel better. I avert my gaze. The feelings have been getting stronger, and it’s still growing. This is bad.
“I’ll be snoozing again now,” I say, my gaze locked at the floor.
“I’ll play some soft songs for you so you’ll sleep better,” says Miguno, chuckling. “And g’afternoon. Again.”
So considerate. He’s probably wearing that cute grin again. I’m afraid to see it, so I didn’t look his way.
“Y-yeah, g’afternoon.” I slip back behind the curtains. Lying on my back, I stare at the ceiling above.
My stomach turns every time one of those thoughts of Miguno pops up. It keeps reminding of that part of myself I just want to forget. I shouldn’t be thinking about him like this. I don’t know why, but I know I shouldn’t.
But it’s getting harder to fight it.
“S-so, uh, yeah.” Jack rubs his nape nervously. Legosi—who’s sitting next to him—looks as nervous as him. “That’s what we wanted to tell you.”
So Jack and Legosi got together. They just came out to us right now. It seems like something happened between them, and now they’re dating. I’ve only spent a year with them, but they always seem close from what I’ve seen. They are childhood friends.
I’m happy for them, really. I didn’t know they’re like me. And they have the balls to come out too.
Four of them, to be exact. Hehe.
I look around. Everyone’s silent. Not surprising.
I look back at Jack and Legosi. I want to hug them, congratulate them. My hands clench on my knees. But, I’m scared to even smile right now. If the others start sneering, say they're disgusting—
“That’s great!” exclaims Collot.
W-wha—
“Just don’t get noisy at night,” says Voss.
“W-we haven’t even done that!”
My mind feels fuzzy. They- they’re supportive? Then what about Migun—
“I’m happy for you two!” he says. Miguno rushes over to the two and hugs them, one arm around each of their neck. “I know how hard it is to do this. Don’t be ashamed, please. It’s okay.”
“I-I, uh,” Legosi stutters. He wraps his arm around Miguno. Jack does it too. “Thanks.”
How can someone be so sweet and caring?
Maybe, maybe that part of me isn’t so wrong after all. And the way Miguno said that... It sounds like he’s also…
I can feel my tail wagging.
“Plus two. Take it or leave it.”
“Dude, leave me alone. Please. My hands’re already full.”
Miguno snickers. “Not full enough.”
“Fuck you.”
“Heh, love you too,” he says in a joking tone.
I avert my gaze as I take two cards from the stack. If only he knows how much those words affect me—
"Ah!" I let out a small gasp. Just the card I need!
Miguno widens his eyes, surprised by my sudden outburst. But then he smirks. Oh no.
"Got a plus four, didn't you?"
"No."
His smirk grows wider. Shit, I denied it too firmly.
"If you say so," he says. He puts down another card. There's only one left in his hand now. Damn it, he's too good at this. "Uno. Your turn." He meets my gaze as if he's challenging me. "And I dare you to play that plus four."
"What?"
He repeats, "I said, I dare you. Play that plus four you just got. Come on, no balls."
This son of a bitch thinks he's clever. Hah! I know your game plan. "Oh, I have balls. It's just you'll just counter me if I do that."
Miguno chuckles. "Sure. But who says I'm not just bluffing?"
"Huh?"
"What if my card isn't a plus four? You wouldn't be able to counter it. And it's the colour I need right now, so I'll just play this and win."
Fuck. He is clever. I need to keep up. I scoff and puff out my chest. Look confident, me. "Then I'll just change the colour so you can't play it."
" Can you?"
"...uh." I look down at my cards. "Shit."
He chuckles and puts on a smug smile. "Thought so."
This damn hyena. Aghhh, I hate him. But seeing him so smug, so confident... He's always so quiet, so seeing this side of him is extremely refreshing. It's even kinda hot—
No! No thoughts like that. Right now, I need to win.
"Look, over there!" I point at the wall behind him. My cards almost fell since I’m only holding them with one hand, and one hand can only hold so many.
He raises an eyebrow. "Are you serious?"
I nod eagerly. "Yeah! Just look! There's a huge bug!"
"Dude, if there was you'd be running out the room."
"Wh—" How dare he? I huff. "No, I wouldn't."
"Sure, Mr. passed out when a spider landed on his head. Remember when you didn't want to enter the dorm room when Legosi's beetle escaped? Oh, and that time when—"
I throw out my hand towards Miguno. "S-stop, I thought we won’t talk about that anymore!"
He snickers. "Then stop it with the tricks and just play your card, dude."
I grumble. Damn it, that tactic didn't work. And Miguno just put me in my place. God, I wanna bury myself in a hole.
No, I need to win. Make a comeback. Show him who's the man around here.
I rub my chin as I inspect the cards in my hand. I need to think of something, fast. Should I play the plus four and risk him countering me? Or save it and play a normal card, so if he plays a plus four I can counter it?
Miguno laughs. "Jeez, you're really thinking, huh? Cute."
My tail wags. Damn it, I can't focus. Why must he call me cute now? Does he actually think I'm cute? Or is he joking?
No, think of the plan. I need to win. What was I planning again? Plus four what?
Cute.
That word keeps repeating in my head, in Miguno's voice. My cheeks feel warm.
"Dude, are you blushing?"
Fuck. I look away and cover my face with my arms. "N-No! I'm not."
He grows quiet. I catch him smirking again from the corner of my eye. "Cutie."
My face feels even hotter, it feels like steam is coming out of my ears. And I can hear my tail whapping the floor behind me. Fuck fuck fuck. At this rate, he'll know how I feel. Is he doing this on purpose?
I swallow and force myself to play a card. I choose the plus four. "There. Your turn. Hurry."
He chuckles. "Plus four, huh? Boom, countered. I win."
"Good.” I stand up. “I need to use the bathroom. Bye." I rush out of the dorm room. As I leave, I can feel Miguno's eyes staring at my back.
"Look at me."
“...”
"I said," Miguno's tone becomes stern, "look at me."
I do what he told me to. He's sitting on his knees across me, on the floor, our knees almost touching. His brows are furrowed, his gaze fierce as he inspects my face.
"What?" I ask.
He puts his hand on my cheek.
"Ouch!"
"Hold still."
I scoff. This wound means nothing. "I'm fine."
"No, you're not."
"I'm—"
"Durham, please. Just- just let me take care of this," he pleads. There's hurt in his eyes. "Please."
My chest grows heavy. It feels like something's twisting inside me. Why's he the one looking more hurt when I was the one fighting?
"...Sorry." I can't even see him in the eyes when apologizing, and my tail feels limp. At least it's only me and Miguno in this dorm. I can put my guard down in front of him. If it’s him, it’s okay.
He sighs. "Just don't go punching other animals anymore. Even if they're dicks."
My brows furrow as I hear his words. "They hurt you- Ah! " Miguno presses a piece of cotton against my cheek. He’s cleaning the cut. It stings.
"You don't have to hit back."
"But—"
"Listen." He cups my face and lifts it up so we face each other. "I don't want to see you get hurt. So just stop, please. They’ll stop, eventually."
“Eventually? When’ll that be?” I can feel heat building up inside me. “Am I supposed to just watch till that ‘eventually’ comes?”
“I can put up with it.”
"You shouldn't! " I grit my teeth and grab his hand on my cheek. "You can't get fucking tossed around like that and just say you can put up with it! You- you're important to me." I look down at the ground. "I… I can't just sit still, seeing someone I like get hurt. Why are you so okay with this...?"
He pauses. I look up at him. Softly, he smiles. Is his eyes getting wet?
"You- god, you're just, ugh." He seems to be struggling to find the right words. He stands up and shifts towards me. He circles his arms around my neck and hugs me, burying his nuzzle under the crook of my neck.
Huh?
I can feel his breath on my neck as he laughs, breathlessly. "You're an idiot, you know that?" he says.
I hesitate. Should I? I want to, but what if… and he might even...
Fuck it.
I lift my hands up and hug him back, resting my head on his shoulder. "I know." He feels so warm. Our tails are wagging so fast. I hug him tighter, practically squeezing him.
Please don't let this moment end.
"I already reported them anyway," says Miguno.
Oh.
"You did?"
He hums. "Even recorded them a bit, so I have evidence."
We're still in each other’s arms. Just a little bit longer. I don't want to let go.
"What if they don't take any actions?" I ask.
"I've been getting close to the teachers. They know I'm trustworthy." He pulls back from the hug, but his arms remain still around my neck. He meets my eyes with a soft gaze. "So you don't have to do this anymore, okay?"
I shake my head. "I can't promise it, but I'll try."
He sighs. "You're uncontrollable."
"What can I say? I like being wild," I say with a playful smirk.
He laughs. I laugh with him. His arms leave my neck. I already miss his warmth. He sits back down across me, cross legged. "By the way…"
I tilt my head. "Hm?"
Resting his elbows on his knees, he leans forward. "What did you mean by 'someone I like' back there?"
Shit. Oh lord help me cause I fucked the F up.
"I-I said that?" I say as if I don't know any better. Come on, play it off. Act casual.
He chuckles. "Don't think I didn't hear you. You one hundred percent said it."
Fuuuuck. What do I do? Why did I say that?!
"I-I, uh, I meant someone I like is like—” I say the first thing that pops up in my head, “it's cause you're my best friend, you know?"
Good. That'll do it. It makes sense to like your best friend, right?
"Best friends?" asks Miguno.
"Y-yeah."
He looks down. His tails and ears droop. "I see…"
What? He seems let down for some reason. Why?
He huffs, and he perks back up. "Best friends then." His mouth curls up into a smile. "Thanks. Durry."
Wait, what did he just say?
"Durry?"
"Durry," Miguno repeats. "Don't like the nickname? I think it's cute."
Cute?!
I shake my head. My face feels like it’s heating up. "I… I like it."
Hehe, nicknames. And he thinks it's cute. I need one for him too. What would be a nice nickname for him?
"Can I call you Migs in exchange?"
He beams. "Absolutely."
X this, X that. Y is two, no wait, three. If X is bigger than zero, then… oh my god.
“How the fuck am I supposed to know what’s the value of x is?!”
“That's why we’re studying you dumbass,” says Miguno. “And keep it down, unless you wanna get kicked out of the library.”
“Sounds like what I need. This is torture.” I cross my arms. God, I just wanna punch these numbers and letters. But that’ll damage the table we’re using, so I hold back.
Who knew that the second year of high school can be so goddamn hard? And it’s only the start of the year!
Miguno groans. He pinches the bridge of his nose. “Durry, how many times are you going to do this?”
I furrow my brows. “Do what?”
“Study. Whine. Get a shitty grade. Complain that you should’ve studied,” says Miguno matter-of-factly. “Rinse and repeat and voila. There’s the answer to your ‘do what?’.”
I grumble. “Not my fault the tests are so fucking hard.”
“They wouldn’t be if you actually pay attention when, you know, I’m teaching you.”
I huff. Damnit, I forgot about that. My chest tightens. It’s my fault. I’m wasting his time.
“Sorry.”
The look on Miguno’s face softens. He pats my head and scratches the spot behind my ear. My tail instinctively wags. I sigh, leaning myself into his touch. He really knows my weak spots.
I like you.
I’ve lost count, imagining saying that to him. Why is it so hard to confess your feelings? Does he even feel the same about me?
“Feeling okay now?” he asks.
“Yeah.” I nod. “Thanks, Migs.”
Smiling, he says, “Just trying to help.“ He stops with the scratching, and his hand leaves my head.
No. It’s leaving.
I snacth it and meet his gaze. “Don’t stop.”
Miguno pauses. Once, he blinks. Then twice. Looks like he’s processing what I’ve said. Shit. I didn’t mean to be so forward—
Laughter comes out of his mouth, a quiet one. Probably didn’t want to bother the others in the library. His smiles
“God, you’re so freaking cute.” He leans towards me and gives a quick kiss on my cheek.
A kiss. On my cheek.
I can feel his hand scratching that spot behind my ear again. But...
A kiss.
My cheek.
Kiss.
“Migs, I… I… I lik- fuck..”
“...”
“I-I like you.”
“...”
“I. Like. You.”
I grin at my reflection on the small mirror on the table. “All right. Got it down.” I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “Okay, one more time.” I open my eyes slowly. “Migs, I like you. A lot. Yes! There we go!”
I stand up and pace around the empty dorm room. Finally, I manage to do it. Good thing the others are out for today, or else I couldn’t have gotten any practice in.
I say it again, just to get it out my chest, “God, I like you so much, Migs. I just wanna cuddle you all night and—”
“What?”
A gasp comes out of my mouth. I snap my head towards the door. Migs. He’s here. “M-Migs?!” Oh my fucking god, he’s here. I didn’t even hear him come in. Oh fuck, did he hear me?
He points at me with trembling fingers. “Y-you… did you just say what I think you did?”
“Uh, I-I just, um, oh god. It’s just—”
“No. Stop it. Be honest with me. What did you say?”
I grit my teeth. Should I be honest? What if he rejects me? I don’t want that, I don’t want to ruin the friendship we have. But he’s called me cute before. Maybe he was just joking. But he even went as far as to kiss my cheek. Was that a part of his jokes too? Probably. Then what have I been practicing for? What if—
I feel a hand on my shoulder. I look up and meet Miguno’s gaze. “Sorry, I was being pushy,” he says. He gives a reassuring smile. “We can let it go if you’re uncomfortable.”
I shake my head. “N-no. It’s fine. I…” I gulp. “I’ll say it.”
He becomes silent. We stand in the middle of the room, neither of us saying anything.
I break the silence, “Migs, I- you know, all this time... I-I just- I… Fuck.” Calm down. Gather your thoughts. It’s Miguno. He’s patient, understanding. I take a deep breath. “I… we’ve known each other for three years now, yeah?”
He nods.
“Well, All those years, I’ve been- I’ve been having these... feelings.” I swallow, fidgeting with my fingers. Why’s describing what you’re feeling so hard? No, I need to continue. “Being with you always makes me happy. And calm. And soothed. You always just manage to wash away all the bad stuff, even after a really, really shitty day.
“And, well, long story short, uh,” I look up and meet his eyes. My heart’s beating so fast. “I like you. A lot. I-I really do.”
“...”
I let out a nervous huff. “So yeah, there- Oof!”
I almost fell down from how hard Miguno’s went in for a hug. His arms are around my neck, hugging me tightly. “Took you forever.”
I wrap my hands around his waist. “So you knew?”
“Duh. You’re a freaking open book, Durry.”
“And you feel…?”
He answers, his voice soft, “The same, Yeah. I like you too.” He sighs, nuzzling my neck. “Best friends my ass”
I chuckle, pulling him closer. His warmth is like heaven to me. “Sorry. I was scared. How can I make it up to you?”
He pulls back, a grin on his face. “A kiss would do.”
“K-kiss? Now?”
“No, yesterday,” he answers in a sarcastic tone. “Of course now, you dumbass. Unless you don’t want to.”
I avert my gaze. “I-I do. But, I’ve never kissed anyone before. I’ll be sloppy.”
“Okay,” says Miguno. He cups my cheeks. “But you want to, right?”
I laugh nervously. “Yeah.”
We lean forward and meet each other's lips. The kiss is tender, soft. My heart’s pounding so hard in my chest, it feels like I’m going to die. But this feels amazing, addicting. My entire body’s tingling from excitement. I’ve never kissed anyone before, but I doubt it’ll get any better than this.
We break apart.
The two of us giggles, both from nervousness and joy. It doesn’t take long for us to claim each other’s lips again, this time much more eager than before. I tangle my hand in the fur behind his head, pulling him closer into a deeper kiss. He sighs into it.
I don’t know how long we’ve kissed, but our furs are all over the place now that we've finished.
“That was... amazing,” I breathe out.
“And who said they were sloppy? Goddamn that was just...” Miguno trails off.
Looking at him like this, after feeling how soft his lips are, I can’t help it.
I can’t help but fall for him.
“I love you, Migs.”
He pauses. “Not like?”
I shake my head. “No.”
He beams with absolute delight. I love that sight. I love it so much. I love him.
“Love you too, Durry.”