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Scorching heat had fallen over Tokyo. The unbearable summer temperatures chased those, who were blessed enough to have no business in the direct sun, back to their air-conditioned flats. The heavy air made breathing a suffocating experience, and the blinding light and distant shimmering were a heavy strain on the eyes.
If listened closely, the faint noise of cicadas could be heard through the traffic noise and crowds of people trying to find a leafy bower. A gentle breeze let Tokyo’s citizens respire, each of them grateful that the humidity was not yet upon them on this day in the middle of summer.
The warm wind found its way through the opened balcony door of their flat in the third floor, where it danced around Kakeru’s bare legs folded under the table.
Wearing a light t-shirt and shorts, Kakeru had propped his right elbow on the table to rest his chin on his hand, and held an ice lolly in the other, which he licked inertly. His focus laid on the balcony, or rather, Haiji, who was outside checking to see if the laundry was dry yet. Given the temperatures, that wouldn’t be surprising.
While Kakeru swiped his tongue over the artificial blue, his eyes observed his husband’s slender fingers as they felt each piece of fabric hanging on the washing line. Haiji had actually dared to go out, wearing nothing but shorts thattruly lived up to its name. Since the midday heat was unbearable, they usually kept the door closed until the sun went down.
Eventually, his gaze shifted to Haiji’s arms, noticing the shifting muscles and the jumping veins under tanned skin whenever he touched another piece. The even rise and fall of his bare chest, the soft movement of his shoulder blades synchronising with the back muscles, and the smooth lines running across his ribs and jutting hip bones made Kakeru swallow heavy. He gazed up to follow the contour of Haiji’s collarbone with his eyes and noticed the jump of his Adam’s Apple.
Kakeru licked over his lips, tasting the sweet remains of the ice lolly, and looked down. Haiji’s legs were lean and as tanned as his upper body. Strong lines ran down the skin from his hip to his ankles, lean muscles moved, and when he stood right, Kakeru could see the small mole on the inside of his thighs.
He couldn’t stop following every step Haiji took in the old slippers he wore, soft flops flops flops accompanying his steps whenever he went back to place a new piece of fabric in the basket.
When something cold and wet dripped on Kakeru’s finger, he realised he had forgotten about the ice lolly that was melting in his grip. He looked down and hastily licked the sweet liquid offhis skin.
Busy cleaning his hand, he paid no attention to his husband. But when a sudden clattering sound startled him, he straightened his back to look at the door and felt utterly caught.
Haiji had stepped back inside, and while he pulled the door shut behind him, he turned to look at Kakeru. Their eyes met – calm brown and wide-eyed dark – and Haiji seemed to hesitate for a moment. He blinked once, twice, then began to smirk.
Kakeru swallowed and felt heat rise in his cheeks; he was certain that Haiji knew very well that he had been watched.
But Haiji said nothing. He walked over, balancing the basket on his hip, and when he stood next to Kakeru, he bent down to lick a long stripe across the melting ice lolly.
Kakeru stared at him, watching speechlessly as something sticky and blue ran over Haiji’s chin.
"Oopsie." Haiji wiped it off and licked his own hand clean.
Kakeru blinked and recollected himself. "You’re doing that on purpose, aren’t you?" he asked, amused.
His husband grinned slyly. "What do you think?"
Kakeru rolled his eyes, but laughed. "You’re obvious, Haiji."
"So what?" He shrugged, seemingly pleased with himself. He put his hand on Kakeru’s shoulder and massaged it with his thumb. "Enjoyed it?"
"Every time." Kakeru grinned.
Haiji laughed and bent forward again, but this time he attempted to hug his husband with one arm.
"No, no, Haiji! It’s too hot."
"This is too hot for you? You’ve been staring at me for what, ten minutes?"
"I wouldn’t have you let out there for that long, Haiji. You’d melt away and I could scrape you off the balcony like a puddle of goo."
"You’re very reliable."
"That wasn’t my point." Kakeru giggled. "It’s just too hot today."
"Hmm.. And I had so much planned, you know?" Haiji nudged him again. Then he gazed down at the ice lolly. "Can I do it again?"
"We have more in the freezer, Haiji."
His husband shrugged. "It didn’t seem that you wanted to eat yours, since you kept staring at my legs."
"Not just your legs," Kakeru corrected, grinning boldly.
"Oh?" Brown eyes widened and the corners of Haiji’s lips twitched.
Kakeru leaned back. "There is just so much to take in, it takes a while, you know?"
Haiji laughed out loud. "I understand, I feel the same way, actually."
"How do you do that? With a mirror?" Kakeru frowned, confused about the statement.
His questions seemed to puzzle the other man, but then he started to giggle.
"I meant you, Kakeru."
The meaning behind this slowly unfolded in his mind, but then it dawned on Kakeru.
"Why do you think I let you get up first to get dressed, hm?" Haiji added, his thumb still moving over Kakeru’s shoulder.
"Uhm…" Kakeru swallowed hard, and as he tried to process the information, his husband leaned down once more to bite off the cap of his ice cream.
"Haiji!"
Haiji stayed bent down, turned his head, and leaned closer to kiss his cheek. "Yes?" he asked, his voice lower than before and much more alluring, despite him munching on blue crunchy ice.
Kakeru could only stare into the deep brown orbs that hovered in front of him, suddenly looking very close and very soft.
"Haiji," he repeated quietly and without any bite. A small smile crept onto his lips and he craned his neck to let his lips brush over his husband’s.
Haiji hummed contentedly, swallowed, and then reciprocated the kiss. When Kakeru parted his lips, he flicked his tongue over Haiji’s bottom lip before slipping it into his husband’s mouth to explore the cold yet warm tongue and the electrifying pulses that emanated from their connection and buzzed through his body. Haiji’s hand gripped his shoulder in earnest, pulling himself closer that he could kiss Kakeru copiously.
Kakeru smiled into the kiss, pulling back just enough to change the angle and diving back into the connection. At the end, he nibbled at Haiji’s bottom lip and pulled it between his teeth, eliciting a moan out of his husband, whose hot breath ghosted over his cheeks.
"Kakeru," Haiji whispered, the name hanging heavy in the little space between them.
Kakeru opened his eyes to take in the sight; he glanced down at Haiji’s shiny lips before looking into his heavy-lidded eyes.
Haiji swallowed. "Thought so," he said.
"Huh?" Kakeru blinked slowly.
"I thought it would end like this."
Kakeru raised an eyebrow. "You planned this?" he asked then, chuckling.
His husband grinned. "I always notice it when your eyes are on me, Kakeru."
"Oh. Good."
Haiji laughed quietly at the playful comment. "I like that feeling a lot," he added.
"Mhm, me too."
The two lost themselves in each other’s gazes. Kakeru contemplated if he should go for it again, but suddenly Haiji giggled and looked down, making him do the same.
His hand was still hovering in the air and the ice lolly had completely melted, leaving a puddle of stickiness and sugar water on the table surface.
"Well, it wouldn’t have survived that long anyway," Haiji noted.
Kakeru hummed in agreement. He raised his head just as Haiji straightened his back; his hand moved a bit lower and tugged at the sleeve of Kakeru’s t-shirt.
"Hm, Haiji?" he asked, still a little dazed.
His husband gave him a warm smile. "Come with me?" he said shyly, and a soft hue started to spread across his cheeks.
Kakeru knew what he meant, but still frowned. "Isn’t it too hot?"
"Oh, it better be." Haiji snickered.
Kakeru raised an eyebrow and nudged his side.
"We can turn on the fan, how about that?" Haiji suggested, nodding towards their bedroom.
This actually sounded like a decent solution.
"Yeah," Kakeru agreed, "sounds reasonable."
He got up from the chair, leaving the sugary puddle to clean for later. Haiji didn’t let go of his sleeve once, and as he set the basket down on the table, he let his fingers glide over Kakeru’s upper arm until he could slide them between his fingers, and gently pulled him towards their bedroom.
* * *
Kakeru was the first to cross the living room and go into the kitchen, dressed only in Haiji’s boxers. He took two glasses from the cabinet, filled them with cold water from the tap, and placed one of them on the small kitchen table on the other side.
While he stood in front of the table, enjoying the feeling of the clear, ice-cold water running down his oesophagus, his eyes fell on a colourful pamphlet pinned to the bulletin board where they normally put working schedules and shopping lists and such things.
Soft footsteps made his gaze dart to the door frame, where seconds later his husband appeared. Contently, he noted the flushed cheeks, the scattered marks on his upper body, and the way how Haiji ruffled his own disheveled hair with one hand. He came to a halt next to the table, gaze dropping to the second glass of water.
"Oh, thanks," Haiji mumbled.
Kakeru hummed and continued reading the advertisement. He noticed, however, that Haiji drank the entire glass in one go, set it down, and came closer to hug Kakeru from behind. Wrapping his arms lazily around his torso, he secured them above his hipbones while pressing his forehead between Kakeru’s shoulder blades where he nuzzled his face against his skin.
Kakeru smiled at the gesture and touched Haiji’s hand with his free one. He was relieved that they had bought a fan for their bedroom since the only air conditioner they had was in the living room. Otherwise, a touchy Haiji in the middle of summer – after everything they had just done – would be too much, unfortunately.
He enjoyed the moment for a while as they just stood in front of the table, Haiji looped around his body and the water cooling him from the inside.
"Haiji," he interrupted the tranquil silence.
"Hm?" Haiji said, but didn’t move his head in the slightest.
He smiled fondly and rubbed Haiji’s fingers. "This pamphlet," he began, hoping that this would lure his husband out of his cosy state.
Haiji exhaled deeply and shifted his head that he could rest his chin on Kakeru’s shoulder, directing his curious gaze on the object in question.
"Oh, right," he said quietly. "I was going to ask you."
"To go there?" Kakeru looked at his husband out of the corner of his eye.
Haiji nodded.
"Sounds good. Let’s go. It’s been a while since we’ve been to a festival."
"Mhm. I was thinking of asking the others, but we can go just the two of us."
Kakeru nodded. "Who were you thinking of asking?"
His husband hummed and the sound reverberated through Kakeru’s upper body, creating a pleasant tickle.
"What about asking the others in the group chat?"
"Mhm, good idea." Kakeru turned his head. "Do you… want to go to the living room?"
Haiji nuzzled his cheek against Kakeru’s shoulder and exhaled deeply once more. "Only if I can stay like this," he murmured, blinking his eyes open to look at him with shimmering orbs.
Kakeru smiled softly. "Of course."
Haiji grinned and released his husband from the embrace, but still stayed close to pull him into the living room where they settled on the couch.
Kakeru put down his glass and picked up his phone, which was on the table.
Kakeru [15:27]: We want to go to the festival of Hachi-Ai shrine this Saturday. Would anyone like to join us?
He nodded, satisfied with his message, hit sent, and placed the phone next to him on the couch. Then he leaned back and opened his arm in a wide gesture to signal his husband to come closer.
"Sent already?" asked Haiji. He leaned in and rested his chin on Kakeru’s collarbone, where he kissed his skin very softly.
"Yeah. They might not respond right away though."
"You never know. It’s weekend after all."
"Mhm." Kakeru turned his head to kiss the brown hair that tickled his chin.
For a few minutes, they bathed in the presence of the other while they calmed down from their previous activity. Kakeru inhaled his husband’s familiar scent, nuzzling his nose against the warm skin and letting lips linger over the brown hair, tanned skin and round cheekbones.
He was just thinking about kissing his husband for real when his phone buzzed.
Yuki [15:34]: I have work…
Akihiro [15:35]: I’ll be on a business trip starting thursday
Joji [15:35]: noooo
Jota [15:35]: we will gooooo
Joji [15:35]: but with hana-chan and her friend :(((((
Haiji chuckled. "Was that sad smiley extension really necessary?"
Shindou [15:37]: Musa and I will be visited by his parents..
Akihiro [15:37]: oh?
Akihiro [15:37]: is that the big introduction etc?
Yuki [15:38]: etc?? Aki, what?
Akihiro [15:38]: just because you made my introduction so romantic doesn’t
The texting stopped mid-sentence, and Kakeru suspected that the two were together somewhere, and Yuki had snatched Niko-chan’s phone away.
Shindou [15:39]: Musa’s parents knew we had been living together for some time ago though
Yuki [15:39]: living together and being together are totally different
Shindou [15:39]: ah
Shindou [15:39]: so like you and Niko-chan-senpai?
Yuki [15:40]: excuse me, we had a very defined way of living together
Shindou [15:40]: you cohabitated until you realised that you love him
Yuki [15:40]: …
Yuki [15:40]: anyway
Yuki [15:40]: we can’t come
"Now he’s embarrassed," Haiji mumbled in amusement as he peeked down on Kakeru’s phone screen.
Kakeru nodded, smirking.
Shindou [15:41]: oh, Musa is here, wait…
Shindou [15:41]: Musa said he is very said that we can’t come :(
Kakeru [15:41]: it’s okay, we can meet up another time, Musa :)
Shindou [15:42]: he says thank you, Kakeru!!
Kakeru [15:42]: :)
Joji [15:42]: can’t we go on sunday with u?
Jota [15:42]: I can’t on sunday tho
Joji [15:42]: huh, why
Jota [15:43]: busy
Joji [15:43]: ???
Haiji leaned forwards to take his own phone from the table, and while he unlocked the screen, he returned to his original position and leaned against Kakeru’s arm. He wore an amused expression as he joined the chat.
Haiji <3 [15:44]: the festival is only saturday, guys, no need to fight
Jota [15:44]: we’re not fighting!
Joji [15:44]: we’re not fighting!
This made Haiji laugh.
"This will never get boring," he said quietly, pressing his head against Kakeru’s shoulder. Kakeru smiled and turned his head to kiss Haiji’s forehead, then concentrated on his phone.
Kakeru [15:45]: so nobody has time, @Youhei, @Akane ? How about you? Saturday evening?
Yuki [15:4 5 ]: guess they’re still working
Yuki [15:45]: oh wait, Aki wants his phone back, he says he knows somethin
Akihiro [15:46]: just meant to say that King said something about a report of the festival he has to do
Joji [15:46]: so that means he’ll be there!
Shindou [15:46]: he’ll probably be working
Youhei [15:47]: guys whats going on? i saw my name??
Joji [15:47]: King-san!!
Jota [15:47]: why are you working, king-san!?!?
Youhei [15:47]: i need money. what is going on?
Jota [15:47]: you’re working too much
Youhei [15:48]: pfff, yeah, of course
Akihiro [15:48]: aren’t you working too? Joji, Jota?
Jota [15:48]: we’re freelancers, senpai!
Joji [15:48]: we get around I guess
Yuki [15:48]: get around? when was the last time you had a proper meal?
Akane [15:50]: i missed out… what happened?
Akane [15:50]: why are there 50 new messages?
Kakeru [15:50]: Ouji-san!
Kakeru [15:50]: Haiji and I want to go to a festival on saturday, do you have time?
Youhei [15:51]: all of us?
Kakeru [15:51]: whoever wants!
Akane [15:51]: yes, I do. I would like to come
Youhei [15:51]: oh, me too
Haiji <3 [15:52]: I thought you were going to work?
Youhei [15:52]: how do you know that??
Joji [15:52]: we wanna go with youuuu
Jota [15:52]: but hana-chan!!!
Joji [15:52]: yeahhh
Youhei [15:52]: HOW DO YOU KNOW HAIJI???
Haiji snorted with laughter.
Haiji <3 [15:53]: senpai told us ;)
Youhei [15:53]: geez, Haiji...
Akihiro [15:53]: wait
Akihiro [15:53]: just senpai? Not even a nickname?
Yuki [15:54]: because you’re the oldest
Yuki [15:54]: … senpai (¬‿¬)
Once more there was no reply, and Kakeru watched in asmusement as Niko-chan started typing again.
Akihiro [15:56]: Yuki won’t answer for a while
Akihiro [15:56]: I confiscated his phone
Joji [15:56]: ne, senpai!
Jota [15:56]: senpai!
Kakeru [15:57]: so, you’re coming King-san? Is that alright with work?
Youhei [15:57]: yeah, it’s fine. it’s just in the evening when we’ll show the fireworks
Jota [15:57]: fireworks!
Kakeru saw his brother typing but Niko-chan was faster before Joji could hit send.
Akihiro [15:58]: come on, twins, don’t spam the timeline
Shindou [15:58]: you can see the fireworks yourself, Jota! you said you were going
Shindou [15:58]: Musa is sad that he won’t be able to see it, so he’s looking forward to seeing your recording, King-san!
Youhei [15:58]: of course! it’ll be live though, but i can record it as well
Shindou [15:58]: thank you!!
Youhei [15:58]: i can make a video and send it to you
Shindou [15:59]: that would be amazing!
Kakeru [16:00]: so, King-san and Ouji-san are coming
Akane [16:00]: yes
Youhei [16:00]: yep
Kakeru [16:00]: great!
Akihiro [16:01]: you sure about that?
Akane [16:01]: what do you mean...
Akane [16:01]: senpai? ;)
Akihiro [16:01]: not you too..
Akihiro [16:01]: just, y’know, they’re married and all
Akihiro [16:01]: and they can get kinda flirty
Akihiro [16:02]: make sure they don’t drink too much lol
Haiji <3 [16:02]: oi, what’s that! we can hold our liquor
Haiji had just hit send when he turned his head to exchange a glance with his husband. Kakeru shrugged and they both looked down to observe the re-appearing dots of the chat.
Akihiro [16:03]: just saying :D
Akane [16:03]: we’re used to that ♡( ◡‿◡ )
Youhei [16:03]: true, we don’t know them any different anymore anyway
Haiji raised his head from he device and looked at his husband, doubt shimmering in his eyes.
"Are we… really that open?"
Kakeru shrugged. "If it’s among our friends, I guess we’re kinda relaxed?"
His husband hummed thoughtfully. "You have a point."
"Let me check." Kakeru started typing, hearing Haiji’s low chuckle as he leaned closer to rub his cheek against his shoulder and kiss him softly.
Kakeru [16:05]: we’re not that open, are we?
Shindou [16:03]: I think you’re being considerate of your surroundings
He sighed in relief.
Kakeru [16:05]: oh, thanks!
But apparently his friend hadn’t stopped typing yet.
Shindou [16:06]: but when you’re familiar with the people around you, you loosen up
Kakeru [16:06]: oh..
Kakeru [16:06]: but well
Kakeru [16:06]: can’t help it, Haiji is very tempting
"Oi."
Kakeru turned his head to see his husband out of the corner of his eye.
"Hm?" he asked, smiling smugly.
Haiji had raised his head from his shoulder, but remained close to him. He bit his lip, and a soft frown appeared between his brows. "Am I?" he then asked very quietly.
"Definitely," Kakeru confirmed in the same low tone, leaning a little closer.
"Even now?" Haiji easily adjusted to the changed atmosphere and craned his neck a little.
Kakeru hummed in approval. "Even when you’re sweaty," he murmured, glancing down at his pliant lips.
His husband playfully nudged his side before pressing his arm against Kakeru’s side and tilting his head so that their lips found each other in a shallow kiss. Kakeru sighed and dove back in again, sliding his lips between Haiji’s, seeking the contact and the warmth radiating from the other man’s body. Haiji responded eagerly, and when Kakeru made attempts to cup his cheek and pull him even closer, he dropped his phone somewhere – anywhere, really – to kiss him finally for real.
Haiji shifted a little, and after wrapping his arm around Kakeru’s shoulder, he pulled him close to flush their chests, shifting his weight forward. They flopped down on the couch; Haiji was on top and kissed Kakeru to his hearts’ content as he began to explore every part of his body anew.
Kakeru eagerly complied, and neither of them noticed the chat continue.
Shindou [16:08]: it’s fine, you two, you mind your surroundings.
Shindou [16:08]: but if there is something, we’ll make sure to stop you ;)
Akane [16:10]: what time on saturday, Kakeru?
Akane [16:14]: Kakeru!?
Akane [16:18]: Haiji-san?
Youhei [16:21]: helloooo?
Yuki [16:23]: okay I’ll just say it
Yuki [16:23]: they’re making out RN!
Joji [16:24]: oh, you got your phone back!?
Yuki [16:24]: (¬‿¬)
Akane [16:25]: @kiyose_2 just text me later about it, Kakeru
Jota [16:25]: kiyose_2 ?
Joji [16:26]: good one!
Shindou [16:27]: this is new, did you change it in the group info?
Akane [16:27]: I did ^-^
Akihiro [16:28]: :’DD
Shindou [16:28]: kind of lovely
Shindou [16:28]: Musa says so too
Youhei [16:29]: it’s Musa-approved
Shindou [16:30]: ???
Youhei [16:30]: Musa’s seal of approval
Youhei [16:30]: or something
Jota [16:31]: :D
Joji [16:31]: :D
Akihiro [16:33]: hey, King, about the report you’ll make...
* * *
Kakeru tightened the knot until it finally sat snugly around his stomach before grabbing the soft fabric to shift it around his body. Finally, the belt was positioned right over the small of his back.
He smiled in satisfaction and turned to face his husband. Once he saw Haiji standing in front of the mirror of their cupboard, he swallowed, unable to tear his eyes away.
It wasn’t that they never wore yukata but it was a rare occasion, and it was always nice to see his husband in the soft green cotton, accented with the simple orange belt wrapped around his stomach. He found Haiji good-looking in general, but the yukata gave him that special something and completed the image of Haiji in summer.
The green fabric had a very soft fishbone pattern that wasn’t obvious at the first glance. It embraced Haiji’s athletic figure and wrapped around his lean legs in such a way that Kakeru had difficulty maintaining his desire to see his husband in a yukata, but at the same time ripping it apart to see those legs.
"So?"
Kakeru blinked and directed his eyes upward to meet a pair of confident-looking brown orbs.
"How does it look?"
Kakeru swallowed drily and nodded. "Good," he croaked.
"Thank you." Haiji smiled, and when he walked toward him, his smile turned into a smirk.
Once he stood in front of Kakeru, he placed his hands flat on the latter’s chest, letting them run over smooth dark blue fabric that must feel incredible soft against his skin; at least it felt like that for the wearer.
"You look good, too," he mumbled, leaning a bit closer. He lowered his hands to hook his fingers under the grey belt and pulled Kakeru closer.
"Thanks," Kakeru mumbled, smiling.
Their foreheads touched and he tilted his head to meet his husband in a chaste kiss.
When they parted, Haiji looked at him with soft eyes. "Shall we go?"
"Yes."
They let go of each other and left the bedroom to cross the living room. Kakeru reached for his walled and phone and put them in the inside pockets of the yukata. When he turned around, the sight made him halt.
"Haiji, no."
Haiji, who had bent to grab his backpack, looked at him with a confused expression.
"Huh, what?"
"Not your backpack, not today."
"But… Where am I supposed to keep my stuff? I always take my backpack." A very soft pout formed on his lips and Kakeru felt the urge to touch the dimples.
"We’re wearing yukata, Haiji, you can put your stuff in there. Here, look." Kakeru showed him the hidden folds, but Haiji didn’t look convinced.
"Not the backpack, Haiji."
"What if we buy something?"
Kakeru suppressed a chuckle. It was always the same, every summer.
"We go to a festival. If we buy something, it’ll be food anyway."
Haiji pouted stubbornly, but then sighed. "Okay, if you insist."
Kakeru actually chuckled this time, watching how his husband set down his backpack and began stuffing his wallet in his yukata.
Once he had everything he needed, he grabbed the key for the flat and attached it to the inside of the belt before approaching the genkan to step into his shoes.
"So running shoes are allowed?"
Kakeru turned and saw Haiji standing behind him. "Shoes are a different matter entirely," he explained, smiling.
"And here I thought we had to wear getas, too." Haiji grinned.
"We don’t even own getas, Haiji." Kakeru raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?" Haiji grinned wickedly. "I know what you’re getting for your birthday this year." He grabbed his own pair of shoes and nudged Kakeru’s shoulder.
"You know," he added, "to be prepared for next year’s festival."
Kakeru laughed at that.
When both men were ready, they left the apartment and headed for the nearest station.
It was still very warm and humid, but not as suffocating as the days before. Since it was already afternoon and the sun about to set, the walk to the station was rather pleasant, albeit they wore clothes that were reasonably thinking unsuitable for a summer festival.
They boarded the train bound for the southeast side of Tokyo, where the Hachi-Ai shrine was located, and managed to find empty seats next to each other.
Kakeru made sure his husband had more room to stretch out his legs, and when Haiji sighed contentedly, he held out his hand for him to take. Haiji’s eyes widened slightly and smiled as he intertwined their fingers, their wedding bands clinking softly. After they exchanged a small smile, Kakeru turned to the rest of the wagon.
There were all kinds of people: salarymen, tourists, elderly with shopping bags, and younger teens out with their friends. Kakeru also noticed a hand full of others wearing yukata talking animatedly with each other, definitely heading for the same festival as they were.
While he listened to the subway announcements, he thought about their train schedule and how they would probably arrive on time. They were going to meet King and Ouji at five o’clock in front of a konbini that would be just across the shrine grounds.
When it was time to get out, the wagon was almost empty, as most of the remaining passengers were visitors to the festival, whose number had grown during the previous stops.
Haiji was the first to get up, and together they left the train and the station. The area was calm and quiet. The streets and shop windows were decorated with heart-shaped lanterns and balloons, soft illuminations creating a pleasant atmosphere as Kakeru and Haiji followed the light-guide toward the shrine area.
They reached the first torii of the Hachi-Ai shrine, behind which masses of people were gathering. But they walked a few more metres further until they reached the promised Seven-Eleven, where King was already standing next to the entrance.
Kakeru waved his hand to greet his friend from the distance and noticed that King was also wearing a yukata. It had yellow and light purple stripes and a black belt wrapped around his middle, matching his short black hair and soft eyebrows.
"Hey, King!" said Haiji as soon as they were close enough.
King scratched the back of his neck and looked at them under furrowed brows. "You know, Haiji, after some years, it gets kind of awkward to be called that in public."
"Oh?" Haiji chuckled.
"It’s rather… weird, but kind of nostalgic."
"We can call you by your actual name," Kakeru suggested.
"True, we can call you…" Haiji frowned and hesitated.
"Youhei, it’s Youhei, Haiji," Kakeru whispered in his ear, leaning in.
"I know that, Kakeru!" Haiji laughed boisterously.
King smiled. "It’s fine, just… maybe don’t shout my name across the festival or anything, okay?"
"Got it." Haiji said, but he was smirking. "And here I was thinking we might have you paged over the loudspeaker in case you get lost.
King threw him a disgruntled look. "Don’t you dare."
"Oh, there is Ouji-san," Kakeru interrupted the two as he noticed a familiar figure approaching them. It wasn’t the direction of the train station, which surprised him.
Kakeru waved his hand and once his friend recognised them, he smiled softly.
"You didn’t come by train?" asked Kakeru once Ouji stood next to them.
"I took the bus," Ouji explained. "It’s much shorter from my flat." He studied each of them.
"Oh," he said then. "You’re all wearing yukatas, huh?" He looked down at himself, and Kakeru noticed that his friend was indeed wearing a red t-shirt, denims, and sneakers.
"Because you have to go to a festival in a yukata, you know? It’s tradition." King smiled widely and patted Ouji’s shoulder.
But Ouji didn’t seem impressed. "I don’t mind being dressed differently, and comfortably at that," he said, smirking.
"You sure? You get all the good feelings when you wear one." King tugged at his own sleeve and the way he looked so proud made Kakeru realise how happy he was was to know that his friends were comfortable in their own skin and clothes.
Ouji frowned. "I would get the feeling of having too much fabric on my skin, which would be too suffocating in the middle of summer."
King hummed thoughtfully.
"It’s evening though," Kakeru intervened. "The fabric will be useful once it cools down a bit. It was much hotter this afternoon, and– Haiji!"
Haiji had started giggling and while he pressed one hand to his stomach, he grabbed Kakeru’s shoulder with the other.
"Yeah… it was hotter, Kakeru," he said empathetically.
Kakeru stared at his husband and felt a blush start to creep over his cheeks. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed King and Ouji exchange a glance.
"Let’s just pretend we didn’t hear that," King mumbled.
"Fair enough," Ouji agreed.
"That kinda makes it worse," Kakeru muttered, rubbing his cheek.
"Alright, let’s go!" Haiji grabbed Kakeru by the arm and dragged him forward.
Seeing his husband laugh so freely made Kakeru smile, and he happily gave in to the urging pushes.
Kakeru threw his friends a quick glance, but they didn’t seem resentful, rather amused if anything. And they did say that they were used to it after all.
They followed Haiji’s lead toward the torii, from where they approached the busy aisle.
The few metres between the two long rows of booths were seemingly made of lights and people. Dozens of different cubicles were decorated with colourful banners, handwritten characters announcing all kinds of things to enjoy – ranging from the classic yakisoba to scooping goldfish in a shallow basin at which gleefully giggling children were trying their best – and flags flapping in the gentle summer wind. The soft glow of lampions and electric fairy lights cast lively shadows on the many heads walking down the aisle, andsoft illuminations sparked a light feeling in Kakeru’s chest, as if he was floating through the crowds by the side of his husband.
Above the cheerful chattering of the many visitors, the loud shouts of the booth staff members advertising what they had produced for sale mingled with the soft clacks of wooden getas hitting the ground.
The warm summer air was pregnant with the heavy scents of sweet and savoury food, mixing with the fresh breeze of the Pacific and earthy wafts of the nearby forest that began behind the main shrine.
"Kakeru, here."
Kakeru turned around, but before he could properly look at Haiji, a soft hand was already touching his arm. He blinked in confusion, but when Haiji slid his hand down his arm, interlinking their fingers, he knew what he wanted.
"I don’t want to lose you," Haiji mumbled, a small smile curling his lips.
Kakeru hummed in appreciation and squeezed his husband’s hand. "You never will," he returned in a low voice.
"That was fast," Ouji noted from behind them.
King hummed his agreement.
"Huh, what?" Kakeru frowned, confused.
"Your public flirting," Ouji explained with a gentle expression.
"Uh, huh? Uhm… oh." Kakeru blinked from his friend to his husband, who was looking at them in amusement.
"It’s okay, you know?" King said now. "Guess you can’t stop it anyway, even if you tried."
"Well, we don’t want to try, so let’s not start," Haiji threw in, grinning mischieviously. His bashfulness made Kakeru chuckle.
They were about to move on when Ouji suddenly stopped.
"Ohhh. Candyfloss."
King almost stumbled and touched Ouji’s shoulder to prevent them both from toppling over. Ouji didn’t seem to notice, but stared mesmerised at the booth in pink, blue, and so much light. He turned to his friends.
"Wait for me?"
"Of course!" King said, taking a step back.
Ouji trudged forward happily, and after getting his very own helping of candyfloss, they resumed walking, Haiji and Kakeru ahead, Ouji chewing next to a smiling King.
Kakeru noticed that many people were dressed in yukata, but most, like Ouji, had come in clothes much better suited for the summer heat in Tokyo.
There were mostly adults around, a few elders, and many children; some of them were running around wearing masks of foxes and demons, and King joked that he wanted to get one for Haiji as well.
They decided to head straight to the shrine first, which was at the other end of the aisle, which meant it took a while to get through the crowds, but when they finally arrived at the main shrine grounds, they breathed a sigh of relief.
"Finally," Kakeru heard Ouji mutter. He disposed of the empty stick of the candyfloss in one of the bins and glanced at the central building.
Kakeru did the same.
The shrine had a wonderful red and white colour and was lit with many spotlights that had apparently been brought here for the festival. The adjoining buildings looked similar, but none of them were as extravagant as the main in the centre.
The four men took their time looking around. Most of the visitors stayed close to the busy booths on the far side of the aisle, enjoying the salty breeze of the close-by ocean or eating their food. Albeit there were a few people eating or chatting on the shrine grounds as well, it was a lot quieter. Kakeru watched some people drawing an omikuji, buying a good luck charm, or just walking around enjoying the tranquil atmosphere.
"Which shrine is it? You said Hachi-Ai." Ouji asked, still looking at the main building.
"It’s a shrine for good luck, love, and blessed meetings," King explained immediately. "The Hachiman is a god originated in Kyushu, and since the Nara period it has been believed that–"
"Okay, thank you, King-san." Ouji cut him off, leaving a disgruntled King muttering the rest of the acquired trivia under his breath.
"If you don’t want to know," he added loudly enough.
Ouji smiled. "Maybe later."
King sighed in resignation. "Can’t help it. Wanna pray for something?"
"For example?" Ouji frowned, but he didn’t seem uninterested.
King shrugged and tugged at his colourful sleeve. "Maybe that your next client won’t be a handful as your previous one?"
"They changed editors, though, right?" Haiji barged in, seemingly curious about Ouji’s job.
Ouji agreed. "But that doesn’t change the fact they he was still annoying." He frowned in irritation.
Haiji smiled at his friend. "Let’s pray then," he said, and the younger man looked at him with a soft smile.
"Yeah."
The four walked toward the front of the main shrine.
Kakeru, who stayed close to his husband, threw him a glance. "What will you pray for?"
"Hmm…" Haiji tilted his head and looked thoughtfully at the sky. "It’s a shrine for love, but since I’ve already met the love of my life, I may be useful and pray for Ouji."
He winked at Kakeru, who stared at him, wondering how Haiji could say these things so easily without getting flustered, even though they were in public.
Next to him, King cleared his voice but said nothing. Kakeru took it as another hint for being openly flirty in public.
"That would be nice, Haiji-san, thank you," Ouji said, totally unfazed.
While waiting for the previous people to finish their prayers, King nudged Kakeru’s arm.
"What about you?" he asked, subdued.
Kakeru looked at him, then at his husband, and finally at the offering box. He smiled.
"That I can keep it the way as it is now," he said quietly.
He could feel the blush rising on his cheeks, but he genuinely meant his words. Although even he thought that it might have been too cheesy to announce it in public, he felt relieved and smiled back when he looked at his friend and saw King smiling fondly at him.
King was about to take a step forward, when Kakeru belatedly noticed that he wanted to ask as well.
"What about you?"
King turned to look at him. "Oh. Probably helping Ouji out as well. You know, three wishes are stronger than one."
Kakeru frowned. "Is that how it works for the gods?"
His friend shrugged. "Don’t ask me."
Kakeru chuckled.
Once the space in front of the offering box was empty, the four stepped forward. It was difficult to line up properly, since the box was small and they would still need some more space to throw in their yen. When Haiji slung an arm around Kakeru’s waist, Kakeru nearly yelped, surprised about the half-hug. Haiji flashed him a grin and pulled him closer so that he wasn’t too far from the box.
"Is that allowed?" asked Kakeru in a low voice, raising an eyebrow and noting – slightly disappointed – that his husband retreated his arm.
Haiji shrugged, but grinned slyly. "We’re at a shrine dedicated for the god of love. I think they expect this."
"Please don’t do any more than this, Haiji-san," Ouji pleaded, looking at them from the side.
"I wonder what goes on on the shrine grounds at night," Haiji mumbled to himself.
"Okay, guys." King raised his voice, which clearly prevented Haiji from speaking his thoughts aloud, here and now. "Get your coins."
Kakeru grinned as he noticed his husband’s confused frown, but followed King’s order and reached for his wallet to fetch a five-yen coin.
They went through the procedure together, throwing the coins, clapping their hands, praying and bowing. When they stepped back to make room for the next, Kakeru smiled satisfied.
"I’m getting hungry," Ouji noted, one hand pressed against his flat stomach.
"Didn’t you just have candyfloss?" King raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, King-san, candyfloss. I need something more sustaining now."
King chuckled.
"Let’s check out the food booths," Kakeru suggested, looking toward the busy aisle from which heavy and delicious scents wafted towards them.
"Yakisoba!" Haiji announced, smiling widely.
"Alright." Kakeru reached to take his husband’s hand, and their fingers slid easily against each other to secure once more, familiar and tender.
The four men headed back and started to walk down the aisle once more. After a few attempts, they finally found a booth that sold satisfactorily fried noodles – at least according to Haiji. After getting their food, they left the aisle to settle on the stone wall behind, which separated the tents from the broad field that lead to the beach and ocean beyond.
The small area was illuminated as well, but not as brightly as the spotlights that lit the shrine, so that they could enjoy sitting there without feeling as they were on display and still see their food.
Kakeru and Haiji shared their portion and after the first bite, Kakeru had to agree that Haiji had been right about those noodles, they were totally delicious.
While they ate and for a few minutes after they finished, they sat in silence. Kakeru let his eyes wander over the other visitors who were enjoying their time, couples taking a stroll on the beach, and children playing tag still wearing those masks they had seen earlier.
"So," Haiji broke the silence, "what about dessert?"
King hummed. "Doesn’t sound too bad."
"Candyfloss," Ouji whispered excitedly, which made Kakeru chuckle.
"Okay." Haiji got up. "Let’s go get something."
King followed suit. "You guys can wait here and we’ll bring the food. It’s getting more and more crowded now, better we don’t squeeze all of us through the massed."
"I don’t want to lose you," Haiji agreed, winking at Kakeru.
Kakeru smiled at that. "Yeah, maybe that’s better. Haiji, can you–"
"Chocolate banana?"
"Yes, please."
"Roger that."
"King-san," Ouji had a dreamily smile.
"I know, I know, candyfloss. Same flavour?"
"Apple," Ouji smiled, anticipation shimmering in his eyes.
"Alright, see you in a bit."
"We’ll be right back," Haiji said, touching Kakeru’s shoulder before turning and following King back into the busy aisle.
Kakeru and Ouji watched them disappear and sat in silence for a moment.
"You really like candyfloss, huh?" asked Kakeru then. "I didn’t know that."
Ouji smiled softly. "It’s very nostalgic," he explained. "My parents used to take my sister and me to the festival when we were younger. We always got candyfloss, it was tradition."
"I see."
A pause followed before Ouji looked at him. "Did you go to a festival when you were younger?"
Kakeru shook his head. "Not with my parents at least."
"Right, you mentioned that they are… different."
"They just focus on other things in their life than…"
"Their son?" Ouji’s expression was neutral when he studied Kakeru.
"Maybe," Kakeru mumbled, admitting his friend’s suspicion.
Ouji waited a few seconds before leaving the depressing topic. "So you did go to a festival?" he asked then. "When you were younger, I mean."
Kakeru nodded. "With some friends during junior high school."
"Did you enjoy it?"
"I think." Kakeru tilted his head to the side. "It’s a very long time ago, Ouji-san."
"You’re right." Ouji chuckled. "We’re already thirty-five…"
"And yet here we are." Kakeru smiled happily and he heard his friend chuckle.
"So, chocolate banana?"
"Oh, that…" Kakeru laughed. "It was the first thing Haiji bought me when… when we…"
He noticed his friend glancing at him curiously, waiting patiently without urging him to speak further. Kakeru knew that Ouji wouldn’t make fun of him for that.
"When we went on… a date."
Ouji nodded. "To a shrine festival?"
Kakeru shook his head but kept smiling. "It was another festival, but not in the summer. Somehow… the chocolate banana has stuck with us since then."
Ouji tilted his head back to gaze at the sky above them, which was slowly turning darker. "That’s lovely," he said.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Kakeru gazed at his friend and then down at his hand, studying the wedding band wrapped around his finger, a promise spoken in vows and love. He touched it with his thumb.
"Yeah," he mumbled. "I think so, too."
When nearing steps announced the other two men, Kakeru and Ouji directed their eyes on King and Haiji.
"Here we go!" Haiji extended his arm to present Kakeru a chocolate banana, decorated with sprinkles.
Kakeru looked at it and then let his eyes wander up to meet his husband’s warm brown eyes.
"Thank you," he said, smiling widely.
"You’re welcome." Haiji grinned, then he settled back on the wall.
"Ouji, here."
"Thank you, King-san." Ouji took the artificial green-coloured dessert King held out to him, his other hand busy holding a red one for himself.
"What about you?" asked Kakeru, looking at his husband just when Haiji presented a bamboo cup with a fish-shaped cake. "I see, taiyaki."
Haji flashed him a grin before biting off the head of the fish. Kakeru chuckled and started nibbling at his banana.
They munched happily for a while, the food filling their stomach satisfactorily, but then Kakeru noticed Haiji’s gaze had fallen on him. Brown eyes looked at him, amused, and there was something in his orbs that wasn’t meant for others, and certainly not for the public.
Kakeru swallowed hard. "Hm?" He said, mouth full with a piece of banana.
"There is… some chocolate." Haiji’s voice sounded raspy and his gaze flicked down to Kakeru’s mouth.
"Where?" Kakeru raised his hand.
"On the right side."
"Here?"
"No, the other right."
"Haiji, geez." Kakeru swallowed and laughed. "Wipe it off for me?"
Haiji blinked and his dumbfounded expression looked endearing. "Oh, sure."
Kakeru felt his husband’s fingers wipe across his chin, and for a brief moment he let them linger close to his mouth before pulling them away to lick it off himself.
Kakeru stared at him, not sure what else he should’ve expected or if he just was so stunned at how Haiji could pull off such kind of things when they were in public. He knew what his husband had been up to with his finger, so close to his mouth.
"I really wonder how they manage to do that." King’s voice brought him back to reality.
"Smooth," Ouji added.
Kakeru turned to look at his friends, who nodded in sync.
"Oh, come on." Haiji grinned bashfully. "Let us flirt, you continue and eat your candyfloss."
Ouji chuckled. "I will."
The topic was easily changed, and Kakeru couldn’t focus on it anymore as he and Haiji exchanged a look that made them both gulp. He noticed that Haiji’s thighs pressed against him, arms nudging his side. Had he sat that close before? He nibbled at his banana and slowly licked over the chocolate cover, almost making Haiji drop his taiyaki.
"At least the heat has subsided," Ouji said now. "It was really hot today."
Kakeru pressed his lips against each other and returned the soft frown between Haiji’s brows with a crooked smile, hoping that his eyes conveyed another promise.
Haiji nodded ever so slowly, before clearing his voice and turning to face Ouji, who had the empty stick of candyfloss between his knees and was looking up at the sky.
"You’re right, Ouji," Haiji said, nudging Kakeru’s knee one last time.
Kakeru smiled and followed his friend’s gaze into the firmament, which was home to many, many stars, twinkling and unknown.
For a moment, they all joined Ouji in stargazing, ignoring the hum of the festival around them and the chatter of the many people. For that moment, comfortable silence spread and connected them.
Suddenly a vibration ripped them out of their trance and Kakeru blinked, and looked at King, who was hastily trying to find whatever he was looking for in his yukata.
"Oh, it’s work." King retrieved his phone and looked at the message. "I should go there soon. I need to change before that too."
"Why don’t we all head back together?" Haiji suggested, crumbling the tissue he had used for the taiyaki.
King frowned as they all got up as well. "You guys can stay, you know?"
"I’m going to go home now," Ouji announced. "My series is airing today."
"Oh, I see. The one your manga made?"
Ouji nodded proudly.
"I see, have fun, Ouji," Haiji said now.
"You can stay though?" Ouji looked back and forth between Haiji and Kakeru.
The married couple exchanged a glance, and when Kakeru met the warmth of deep brown eyes once more, he felt an electrifying buzz run down his spine, a promise of more.
"We might as well go back," Kakeru suggested with a casual shrug, though he knew very well that his husband felt just the same.
"Yeah," Haiji agreed, smiling warmly.
"Alright." Ouji disposed of the wooden stick in a trash bin and went ahead to lead them to the exit without walking through the crowds between the booths.
When they reached the first torii, Ouji walked a few metres until they were in front of the traffic light, the station across the street.
"Thank you for the invitation," King said.
"You’re welcome. It’s nice to come with a few more people," Kakeru returned with a smile.
Next to him, Haiji hummed and threw him a meaningful glance that made the blush return to Kakeru’s cheeks.
"Well then, I need to go. I don’t have much time left and I need to record the fireworks for Musa as well." King waved with his hand. "See you!"
The three remaining men watched their friend disappear as King walked down the street until he was swallowed by a crowd.
"Alright." Ouji smiled at them. "We’ll see each other another time."
"Yes, we will. Have a nice evening, Ouji-san."
"Thank you."
The frail man walked towards the bus station behind the Seven-Eleven, leaving the couple alone at the traffic light.
"So." Haiji’s low voice echoed in Kakeru’s ears, and his lips twitched as he turned to look at his husband.
"Yeah?" Kakeru mumbled and his hand was already moving, reaching out to touch Haiji’s slender fingers and intertwine them together.
"Should we take the train or wait for the fireworks?" Haiji glanced at their hands with an amused expression before glancing up to meet graphite eyes.
Kakeru chuckled. "I don’t mind spending the evening in an air-conditioned room watching the fireworks on TV; given that King-san will arrive at work on time of course."
"Me neither," Haiji agreed, laughing softly.
"And with… more privacy to do whatever we want," Kakeru added, grinning bashfully.
Haiji giggled. "Let’s go home then."
"Yeah."
Leaving the crowds behind, they crossed the street and strode toward the empty station and the train that would take them back home.