Chapter Text
Day 1: Plot Twist
It was a few minutes after 6 in the evening, the sky is coloured red due to the sun setting. The Kiramagers are back at their headquarters, exhausted after a whole day chasing another swarm of Yodonheim. Juuru, who was still in his school uniform from running straight into action after school, was about to relax on the couch when his phone vibrated. He snarled for a bit before checking in the notification.
As soon as he read the content, he screamed a bit loud that he anticipated. “Eh, I totally forgot about my plans with Kakihara-san!” he said before hurriedly cleaning up his clothes and slinging his backpack over his shoulder.
“Oh no, is it an important one?” Sena slipped in as she distributes some mineral drinks to the team. “It’s crazy important! I think if I run, I can still make it before she gets mad!” He was about to jump to the door before Tametomo stopped him by the wrist. “Is it really okay for you to be this late? It could be dangerous.”
Juuru takes a glimpse at the grip of Tametomo’s hand on his wrist before laughing awkwardly, “It’s okay, Tame-kun. We protected the city together so it won’t be a problem to me. If something goes wrong, I would just contact you, okay?” he removed Tametomo’s hand and started running.
Tametomo sighed, “Just be safe, okay?” he yelled and he gets a shout back as a response. He shook his head as he sat down beside Shiguru.
“Juuru has been quite close to Kakihara these days, eh? He doesn’t even hangout at the headquarters anymore after that incident with her,” Sayo said, sipping in her mineral water. “Well, I’m just glad that he made friends. He could be socially awkward at times but seeing him with a high school student instead of us is refreshing, right?” Everyone nods and hums in acknowledgement.
Excluding Tametomo, who is in fact, has been staring at the floor since Juuru left.
“Don’t you think it’s odd for students to hangout on a Friday night. Tomorrow is Saturday, they could hangout at that time instead of today,” Shiguru said as he reviews his lines of script for his new drama. “I usually do that but it’s with my girl friends when we had sleepovers before. Sleepover for a guy and a girl is a bit… unusual,” Sena said, unsure on how to phrased her thoughts correctly.
Tametomo’s breath hitched at that. The thought that Juuru is having a sleepover with someone of opposite gender is well beyond his mind because in his own experience, it would be not just to sleepover. But then, they are teenagers, so these things are not a rare occurrence.
“Still, it’s Juuru we are talking about. They are only friends for like 2 months. Unless…” Sayo trailed off. Tametomo’s ears leaning closer as if she is whispering. Before Sayo even start, Shiguru butted in.
“It’s a possibility. I mean, they got good chemistry and both are students. Assuming both are single, they could get a lot closer when we are not looking so dating is a probability,” he deadpans, eyes still on the script. That sentences put Tametomo in a discomfort. The way that his best friend says makes it sounds believable and true.
“Then again, even if they are dating, tomorrow is the perfect day for a date. What student dates at night?” Sena chimes in. “It could be for a movie premiere, but there’s no movie in my mind that is premiering today or tomorrow,” Sayo said as she and Sena both brainstorming possible events that is happening between the two.
“Well, it’s no use thinking because that’s their privacy. How about this? Since tomorrow is Saturday and Juuru isn’t here, why don’t we have a drink together? Don’t worry, the princess has a family date with Takamichi,” Muryou winked at the squad and Sayo gasped.
“That’s a good idea! I’ve been finding times for me to relax this could be it! Sena-chan you are joining right?” Sayo shook the girl’s shoulders.
“Of course, but I would only take a bit, okay? I have a tournament soon,” she replied as Sayo cheered and hug her tightly, in which she returns it.
“I would like that. It’s been a while since I drink anyway,” Shiguru said, putting down his script and found out that Tametomo’s has been zoning out.
“Tame, do you want to join? It could be fun,” as he said that, Tametomo’s eyes averted from the floor to each of the member of the room and laughs awkwardly. “Uh, I think I’ll pass, I don’t feel like it,” he said standing up before grabbing his stuff to go home.
“Aw, why not? You could still hang around and have some chats.” Shiguru makes a pouty face. “Dude, there’s no way in Hell I’m going to put up to your emotional drunk state. Last time we drank together you cried because you feel bad about the Machines having no arms!” Tametomo complained.
“Hey! My tears are for the best cause only and you clearly don’t have any remorse for them!” he said with a shaky voice already. Tametomo snickered and waved, “Whatever dude, I’m sorry for not participating tonight. Maybe another day. Good night and have fun!” and he walk away from the room, leaving the members flabbergasted. While Muryuo distributes the alcohol across the table, Sayo is smiling.
-x-
At the ground floor of the building, cold air hits Tametomo’s face as the Sun is replaced by the Moon and some stars. The city is too bright that he is surprised that he can even see them. The walk to his home is not far so he won’t bother to take busses or train. He sighed as he remembered the conversation he had with his team members about their leader and his friend.
Well, if Kakihara is his friend.
There’s no solid evidence that they are dating but when Shiguru said it like that, it could be true.
It’s not that Tametomo is jealous. He just thinks that Kakihara is more suited to be with Juuru than with him. They are the same age, share the same interest and they both looks cute together. He tried to be subtle with his feelings for Juuru but being with him half of the day every day, he just can’t help but to fall for him.
They way he laughed and easily entertained. The way he looks so innocent and naïve but still can lead a whole team to victory. The way Juuru holds into his crayons and buried his head into his sketchbook for hours just to draw his teammates is an eye candy for Tametomo. It’s a sight that would never bore him. He wishes he could see it every day.
But in the end, he couldn’t. He was supposed to confess to him properly this Sunday, which is Juuru’s birthday. He finally turns 18 and Tametomo would feel safe confessing to him that day but now he has doubt. Even if he confessed, would Juuru accept it? Would Juuru still wants to be friends or would Juuru finds him weird and cut ties with him?
The last two doesn’t seem likely but it’s scary enough to be true in Tametomo’s eyes. He shook his head and just prepare for the worst when he finally confesses.
-x-
Tomorrow morning comes and Tametomo is already at the elevator of the headquarters building. Yodonheim never attacks two days in a row so it’s a safe bet that today is their free day. He came to practice his shooting skill and also trying to keep his mind out of Juuru before the big day. He decided to enter the main room before practicing and was completely appalled by the visual of it. It reminded him of when Mabusheena got drunk but somehow worse.
“Is that smoke I smell?” he practically yelled as he looks around. There’s food everywhere, bottles on his feet and pizza box on the table. The bodies of his team members scattered around the room, Sayo on the couch, Sena on the floor and Shiguru… is on the table. Apparently, the smoke came from the table when Muryou’s head peek out to greet him.
“What the hell happened here?” Tamemtomo yelled and immediately covered his nose from the smell of alcohol. “We went overboard last night and let just say that the table won’t be used until further notice,” Muryou gives him a thumbs up before going back down, repairing the smoke-covered table.
Tametomo’s face filled with disgusts when he saw the mess that they made and all of them (except Sena) is older than him. He just shook his head and started leaving, “Please wake them up and clean this mess. I don’t want Juuru to see this.”
“See what?”
Tametomo jumped and overreact as per usual, a bit scared by the sudden appearance of Juuru in front of him. “Nope, you are not entering the room now. Let’s go outside instead,” Tametomo push Juuru out from the door frame and mouthed ‘Clean up this mess fast’ at Muryou. He then grabbed Juuru by his wrist and dragged him outside of the building while Juuru just follow.
They found a bench they can sit on and Tametomo sat him there. “Don’t enter the room until Muryou told you to, got it?” Juuru nodded, still dazed at the fact that Tametomo dragged him outside for his safety. From what that Juuru doesn’t know. All he knows that Tametomo does this to protect him.
Tametomo sighed and sit beside him, “Tame-kun. Why do you come here today? Isn’t today basically a free day?” Juuru said, looking at him while Tametomo’s vision is fixed at the river in front of them.
“Well, I came here to practice my shooting. It has been a while since I have an actual free day, so why not?” he replied. “Wow, you trained your shooting here?” Juuru asked, amazed. Tametomo grinned and look at the boy, “Of course! These skills aren’t just talents, you know? I practiced a lot when you aren’t here before so I build myself up with hard practice!” he said while gesturing a gun at Juuru.
Juuru laughed, “Wow, you are truly amazing, Tame-kun,” he said and Tametomo shook his head. “Not like you, though. I know you are not that good in combat since you have zero experiences before but you are mature for your age, and a fast learner too. Also, most of our mission is a success because of your Kiramentality and that’s when I started respecting you. A talented and a hard-working leader is all we need,” he said with a smile.
Juuru bashfully looking away, “S-Stop, Tame-kun. It’s too early for compliments,” Tametomo laughed a little and continues, “The same goes with your drawing, right? You are very much a talented artist but people don’t know the effort you go through to make it looks effortless. I acknowledge that as I also felt that way before. No one knows how much I stressed out over a gaming tournament when I looks like I win the tournament effortlessly every time. I feel discredited sometimes,” he finished his sentence only to realised that he rambled out loud.
“Oh, I’m sorry for ranting. I didn’t know what happened for me to talk this much,” Tametomo shyly admits as he avert his eye gaze from the boy beside him.
“It’s true, though! I wanted to be a great artist and I’m sure Tame-kun wants to be a great gamer so I respect you for that! Sometimes we need to fight harder for things that we yearn so much for because in the end, it will all be worth it,” Juuru responded.
Juuru’s last sentence lingered on Tametomo’s ears for a while. He realizes that if he wants Juuru to reciprocate his feelings, he needs to fight harder to make Juuru feel comfortable with him. He needs to make sure that he is strong enough to face rejection and also strong enough to be with Juuru if he accepts it. He realized that without a confession, it’s not confirmed and he is willing to wait.
He will definitely confess to Juuru tomorrow.
Except he won’t.
Because suddenly Juuru started the conversation, “Speaking of effort, I made this for you yesterday. Remember that plans I had with Kakihara yesterday? I asked her to help me bake cookies since she is a good baker, I hope you like it,” Tametomo blinks as Juuru reached out to hand him a piece of cookie shaped like him in his ranger form in a small plastic pouch.
Tametomo accept it from Juuru’s hands, “It looks so well done! But, only for me?” he asked. Juuru blushes more, “Well, there’s one more thing…” he trailed off looking away. Tametomo raised his eyebrow.
“What is it, Juuru?” he said softly. Juuru makes some frustrated noises before finally looks at him dead in the eyes.
“I like you, okay? I only make this for you! Please go out with me!” he finally said it and averted his eyes once more, embarrassed to look at Tametomo’s expression.
Meanwhile, Tametomo has a blank expression. All these times where he was jealous of Juuru with Kakihara when in reality they are just friends. It was surprising that Juuru likes him back and even more surprising that Juuru confessed to him first.”
“Tame-kun?” Juuru finally gathered his courage to look at Tametomo’s face. Tametomo had an internal conflict on either to look cool or express his inner overreaction. But after seeing the puppy eyes of Juuru, he settled with the former. He laughed happily and flicked Juuru’s forehead with his finger.
“Hey, that hurts,” Juuru pouted and Tametomo smiled, “Dummy. Can’t even wait for tomorrow when you are finally 18, huh? And I thought I’m the one that will confess first,” he said, controlling his emotion. This time, Juuru blinks.
Twice.
Thrice.
Before screaming in confusion causing Tametomo to scream too. “YOU WANTED TO CONFESS TOMORROW?” Juuru asked.
“YOU LIKE ME AS WELL?” Tametomo asked as well.
And both of them were in shock as they realized that both of them are fools in love.