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“You’ve got a little drool there.”
Megumi swatted away Nobara’s hand as she tried to poke his mouth. He did not have drool on his face.
He gave her his best bored expression before turning to the book in his hands.
Nobara chuckled, “Oh, don’t act like you were reading. I saw you ogling him. Poor Yuuji, innocently stretching, unaware his best friend can’t keep his eyes to himself.”
“I wasn’t staring at him,” Megumi huffed out, making sure to keep his face blank. He wasn’t being that obvious.
Nobara’s look was unamused, “Oh? Well, then please tell me what you just read.”
He glanced down at his book and cursed.
He was on the title page.
It was as if Nobara sensed the moment he realized his mistake. She burst out laughing causing Yuuji to turn his head in their direction.
The three of them had decided to go to the beach to celebrate midterms being over. Nobara had just finished up a game of beach volleyball, and Yuuji was still playing with some people. He was hoping to finish reading his book. It has been forever since he’d had time to read for fun. It was why he waved off joining the game.
Yuuji ran up to them, a light sheen of sweat coating his upper body. Megumi’s eyes trailed up his body before he quickly tore them away. He could hear Nobara snort in her hand beside him. It was official, he was going to kill her.
“Hey, what’d I miss?” Yuuji asked, a wide smile on his face.
“You missed nothing. I’m just trying to get Megumi to come and play with us.”
Maybe he wouldn’t kill her.
“I’m not having any luck though,” Nobara continued, “maybe you can convince him, I doubt he’d say no to you.”
With that, she stood up and ran toward the group playing
Nope, he was killing her.
Yuuji was beside him in a second. His damp skin pressed to his, causing him to shiver despite the warmth.
“What book are you reading?”
Megumi looked over at Yuuji, “It’s a murder mystery book.”
“Sounds like it’d be a cool movie.”
“There actually is a movie adaptation.”
“What? We have to go see it!” Yuuji grabbed his arms, leaning into his space.
Megumi was forever taken aback by the pure energy that was Yuuji.
“I-It’s already out on DVD.”
“We should rent it then.”
Megumi found himself nodding along. As he often found himself doing whenever Yuuji suggested something. One day he knew he would regret his inability to say no to Yuuji.
Yuuji smiled, seemingly satisfied, “Well, I’m going to get back to the game.”
“You’re not going to try and convince me to play?” Megumi was shocked, wasn’t that the reason Yuuji sat down with him?
Yuuji laughed, “Nah, we came here to blow off steam. Everyone does that differently. If you do decide to play though, I call dibs for you to be on my team.”
Megumi smiled, “Okay.”
These were the moments when he really appreciated Yuuji, they had only met their first year of college, but it was as if they had known one another their entire lives.
They were roommates freshman year and had instantly bonded over cooking, namely Yuuji knowing how to and Megumi accidentally setting off the smoke alarm. It wasn’t long before they met Nobara and the three of them became inseparable.
Yuuji was probably his closest friend, which is why he couldn’t have a crush on him. How cliche was that?
In his defense, he had none.
Everyone that met Yuuji was enamored by him. Anytime they went out Yuuji was instantly scouted by everyone. Yuuji always turned them down, but Megumi knew it was only a matter of time before Yuuji met someone that he wouldn’t turn down. Someone that would be able to match his energy and brilliance. Yuuji deserved someone good.
He knew his heart would break the day it happened, but if it was for Yuuji he knew he would at least try to grin and bear it.
Megumi did not expect that day to come so soon.
He was in their little kitchen playing on his phone. It was Nobara’s turn to make dinner so he was keeping her company. She was going on about what to get Maki for their one-month anniversary and was trying to get his input. He wasn’t sure how much help he would be. Just because they were cousins didn’t mean he had any insider information.
“Why don’t you just ask Mai? They’re twins ya know; she definitely knows her best.”
“You know Mai hates me.”
“Oh, right.”
He’d almost forgotten about that. Maki and Nobara had met up with Mai for lunch one day, and Mai made a rude comment to Maki. Nobar - who is clearly an only child that doesn’t understand sibling rivalry - became offended on Maki’s behalf and poured her water on Mai, asking who was the wet pig now.
It didn’t go over well for anyone involved. Nobara was kicked out of the restaurant, and she and Mai still haven’t been able to be in the same room. Maki, however, found the entire situation to be hilarious.
“I don’t know. But I think she’d appreciate anything if it came from you. Also, one month isn’t even that long. You don’t need to do anything.”
“I know. I want to, though. I really like her and I want her to know she’s appreciated.”
He glanced up from her phone, slightly surprised to find a serious expression on her face. It was gone in an instant.
“Besides, just because you’re unversed in the ways of love doesn’t mean we all are. I know how to treat a lady.”
Megumi rolled his eyes. He was saved from responding by the door opening. He turned to find Yuuji laughing at something the person behind him said.
The other guy was blushing as he watched Yuuji laugh. He was moving his hair from his eyes, not that it seemed to be helping. The guy’s hair was shoulder length and was styled to stay in front of his eye. It was kind of weird.
He was wearing a hoodie with their university logo so Megumi could only assume he also attended school with them. He couldn’t hear what they were saying but they were both smiling at one another.
Yuuji turned in their direction, “Oh, good! You all are home. There’s someone I want you to meet!
Then Yuuji grabbed the boy’s arm dragging him into the kitchen area. Yuuji dropped the stranger’s arm before wrapping his own arm around the boy’s shoulder.
“This is Junpei; Junpei these are my roommates, Megumi and Nobara.”
Megumi could feel Nobara’s eyes on him. He kept his face blank, but his eyes bore into Yuuji’s arm around the boy.
The sight cut like a knife. He felt like the air was thinning around him. He could hardly breathe. Idly, he could feel his heart rate increase. There was a sharp feeling in his gut. He wiped his now semi-sweaty palms on his pants. What was happening to him? It didn’t take his brain long to supply the answer.
Jealousy.
He tried to calm his self down. He could hear Nobara asking Junpei questions, but he couldn’t focus on that. Or anything except Yuuji’s arm around the blushing boy.
He suddenly felt sick.
He stood up, searching for his leash. He would take Divine on a walk. That’s what he would do. Anything to get out of this apartment.
“Hey, Megumi, where are you going? I was hoping we could watch a movie and you all could get to know Junpei.”
His back was to all of them, Divine had run up to him as soon as he grabbed the leash. He focused on fastening the leash to her harness.
“I just need to get some air, I’m not feeling well.
“Are you okay? Junpei and I can run to the store and we can get you something!”
He closed his eyes at the use of we. Knowing it would be the first of many times the two of them were referenced together.
“No, I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yuuji, please just leave me alone.”
With that, he slipped on his shoes and left the apartment.
Outside the door, he rested his back against the wall. His head hitting the wall with a dull thud.
“Fuck.”
He instantly regretted being rude to Yuuji. It wasn’t his fault. Of course, Yuuji was going to find someone one day. He knew this. He’d even planned for it. He just wasn’t expecting to see it being flaunted in his face like this without warning.
Peeling himself off the wall, he headed onto his usual trail.
First thing first, he would need to apologize to Yuuji. Then he knew he’d have to make an effort to get to know Junpei.
Just the thought of getting to know him made his stomach feel queasy. Nothing good would come from that. He’d just spend the entire time wondering what Yuuji saw in him. He’d compare himself to the guy and it would just be unhealthy.
“Megumi!”
He turned to see Nobara running after him. He stopped so she could catch up.
She stopped in front of him, bending over trying to catch her breath.
“What are you doing out here?” He asked after she finally seemed to calm her breathing.
“I’m checking on you.”
“I’m fine.”
She raised an eyebrow, “You ignored Junpei, you were rude to Yuuji, and you left the house before anyone knew what was happening.”
“I’m fine,” he repeated with a heavy sigh.
Nobara rolled her eyes, “You know what fine means right? Freaked out, insecure, neurotic, and emotional. So, if you’re really fine then you need some company.”
Figuring he wasn’t going to get her to leave anytime soon he started walking again. Nobara was silent as she followed him. He had to admit, the silent company was nice. His brain was still all over the place, but at least he felt more centered with a friend that understood.
“How are you feeling?”
He thought about, trying to put his feelings into words but found himself unable to articulate it
“I don’t know. Off.” It was the best he could do it.
Nobara seemed to understand.
“His name is Junpei —”
Megumi cut her off, “I don’t wanna hear this.”
“Hear me out. Please.”
This was the last thing he wanted. He didn’t want to know about him. It would make him real. He would become a person to him and people were hard to hate up close. It was easy to hate someone you didn’t know, but much harder when you actually thought about them as individuals with hopes and fears. Still, he nodded.
Nobara began again, “His name is Junpei. He’s our year. He and Yuuji are in the same major. I think he’s from the city. Anyway, he and Yuuji go to the old movie theatre almost every week to watch old films.”
“Why are you telling me this?” He gritted out. Each new piece of information stung. He could feel himself shutting down, retreating from the world.
“Just listen. Where was I? Oh, yeah. He’s also enamored with Toge.”
Megumi stumbled, almost losing his balance.
“What?”
Nobara looked up innocently, “Yes?”
“What did you just say?”
“They go to the old movie theatre every week? I think they do it Sunday mornings.”
Megumi closed his eyes and willed himself not to murder his friend. “About Toge?”
“Oh, that,” she examined her nails for a minute before squatting down to pet Divine, “yeah, apparently Yuuji had Toge work with them for one of their films last semester. Now, he’s obsessed.”
She paused to look up at him, “You’ll love this part. He wants to learn ASL so he can better connect with him. Of course, who knows ASL better than anyone? Our very own Megumi. Yuuji was hoping to introduce you two tonight so you could help Junpei with his ASL and he could impress his crush.”
“Fuck.”
“Yeah.”
“Did you know about this?”
“I knew of Junpei, yes. This was my first time meeting him, though. I knew he and Yuuji went to the old theatre. I also knew he had a crush on Toge.”
“Why do you know this?”
She shrugged, “Yuuji and I spill tea all the time when you’re not around. You don’t enjoy it and we still don’t know if we can trust you to keep secrets.”
He ignored the jibe, because if what she was saying then true then Yuuji wasn’t dating that guy. Far from it.
“I’m going to let you in on one last secret.”
He turned to her, confusion written on his face.
“You’re an idiot and so is Yuuji. This was fun for a little, but now it’s just sad. Has Yuuji ever mentioned liking anyone?”
Megumi shook his head. He knew this.
“Ever wonder why? Ever wonder why he turns down everyone that asks him out? Ever wonder why he could spend his Friday nights with anyone, but chooses to spend them with you? For the love of God, he doesn’t even like playing chess. But he plays with you anytime you ask.”
“He doesn’t like chess?”
“Oh. My. God. Please tell me that is not what you picked up from what I just said.”
“Yuuji likes you. You two have been pining after one another for years and it’s been infuriating to watch. At first, it was entertaining, but I didn’t realize how dense you two could be. So please, for the sake of everyone that has to interact with both of you; go get your man.”
He placed Divine’s leash in Nobara’s open hand, before taking off at a run.
Yuuji wanted him.
He felt the same way.
They weren’t far from the apartment, he’d be there soon. Would Yuuji still be there? How much time had passed? Would Yuuji be mad at him?
Soon he was outside the door. He didn’t hear any noise from inside the apartment. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door.
Inside, he found Yuuji pacing in the living room. He was alone.
“Megumi?”
“Hi,” he whispered. It was barely audible over his racing heart.
It just dawned on him that he had no idea what to say. He took in Yuuji in his oversized sweatshirt and jeans. He was staring up at Megumi, and he could see a scattering of pink coating his cheeks. Yuuji looked adorable.
“Hi. Uhm, Junpei left.”
He walked into the living room. “I’m so sorry, Yuuji. I was a jerk to him and you. Especially you.”
If anything Yuuji’s blushed deepened, “It’s okay. Uh, Nobara kind of explained some stuff…”
“Oh.” He averted his eyes. What if Yuuji had changed his mind about him? What if this was all a fever dream?
“You uh really like me?”
He looked up to see Yuuji staring up at him.
“Yeah, I do,” he breathed out, “a lot actually.”
“Really?”
He nodded. How was that hard to believe? Everyone wanted Yuuji. He told him as much.
Yuuji wrinkled his nose, “I doubt that’s true. Besides, I don’t care about anyone else. I never thought you liked me. I didn’t think you liked anyone.”
“I don’t like people, but you’re not people, you’re you.”
He closed his eyes at the admission, that was so lame.
Yuuji smiled, “Well, I’m glad.”
“Do you want to go out with me? On a date?” He quickly sputtered the words out before he lost the nerve.
Yuuji’s smile grew, and Megumi had to turn away from the sheer brightness of all of it. It was like looking into the sun.
“I’d love that.”
Megumi lifted his hand to Yuuji’s cheek. He was so happy, he couldn’t stop the goofy grin from appearing on his face.
“Yuuji, I just want to know one thing.”
“What?”
“You don’t like chess?”
Yuuji frowned, clearly not expecting the question. “Huh?”
“Oh my god!”
They both turned to the door where they heard Nobara yelling outside the door, “Just hurry up and kiss him and forget about chess! Fucking idiots. Divine and I are going to Maki’s for the night because I’m so sick of both of you.”
“Did she just yell that through the door?”
Megumi nodded.
“Do you think our neighbors heard?”
He nodded again.
“They’re gonna hate us.”
Megumi shook his head, “Yeah, they might. Right now, I don’t care.”
He returned his hands to Yuuji’s cheek and leaned down before stopping just before he reached his lips, allowing Yuuji to back away if he wanted. Yuuji didn’t though, instead, he leaned forward closing the distance.
Megumi wrapped his arm around Yuuji’s shoulder bringing him closer.
They broke apart, both gasping for air.
Megumi spoke first, “Wow.”
Yuuji laughed, “I just realized we have the apartment to ourselves for the night.”
Megumi smiled, “We do, don’t we? Anything, in particular, you want to do?”
“Yeah, I rented us the movie adaptation of the book you were reading at the beach. I was hoping we could watch it together.”
“Sounds perfect.”