Archive of Our Own

Jyushi’s face falls the moment he sees Kuko and Ichiro lock eye contact. There’s a myriad of emotions spilling from their eyes, but Kuko quickly covers it up and his golden eyes turn into slits.

“Why the hell are you here, Ichiro.” Kuko’s voice is far from what Jyushi knows. There’s no confidence in it. He sounds like he’s mere steps from breaking down.

“I’m here because Jyushi wanted to introduce us to some of his close friends. I never expected you of all people to come along.” Ichiro’s hands ball into fists and Jyushi’s heart races in the worst way ever.

Ichiro and Kuko are not on good terms. They have some sort of history that Jyushi was not aware of, and now they look like they’re seconds from having a battle. If it isn’t with fists, then with hypnosis mics.

But even though they’re saying these heavy things to each other, they look like they’re hurting. Kuko physically winces as images pierce through his head. Images he recognizes as from the past.

Ichiro when they were Naughty Busters. Ichiro and him sharing bottles of cola and watching the sun set from Ikebukuro. Ichiro’s smile. Ichiro’s warmth. Ichiro’s… love.

But why did it all end?

“I… I hate you Ichiro! I always have!” Kuko’s own voice rings inside his head as he comes up with the answer. But he always… always loved Ichiro.

So why? Why did he feel compelled to say those things and walk away from him?

His brain gives him static in return.

As Kuko deals with the pain, Ichiro stands dumbstruck. There are words that want to come out, but his throat feels so dry, the words won’t come out no matter how hard he tries. A fresh shine of tears, and this utter look of helplessness are all Ichiro can come up with.

He knows that this isn’t how their relationship was supposed to be. Somehow, he knows that they were supposed to still be together, in some way. But it just seems like it won’t happen now. As he opens his mouth, Hitoya steps out, scratching the back of his head with a sigh.

“This is why I can’t handle brats… Right now, there is too little information to go on. So I will suggest that we break whatever the hell this was supposed to be and give both parties a little space to breathe. We’ll come back some other time, and assess the situation.” 

Hitoya turns to face Jyushi with a small frown. “Sorry about this Jyushi, but it's the best thing for everyone right now.”

Jyushi shakily nods and turns to face the Yamada brothers. But they don’t look at Jyushi. Not even to say “see you later.”

Not even Jiro.

And somewhere amongst the chaos and confusion in Jyushi’s brain, he felt something crumble.

Jiro is confused at Ichiro’s expression. He looks to Saburo, to ask him if he had any information about this problem. The younger Yamada shakes his head. The three of them walk away from Bad Ass Temple, and it never crosses Jiro’s mind to turn around to look at Jyushi. 

He never sees the trembling form of his boyfriend, nor the tears that form and slide down his cheeks. He doesn’t hear the helpless cry from Jyushi as he tries to call out to Jiro before choking on a sob that claws its way up his throat. 

There’s a part of Jiro that’s mad at Jyushi. Is it the fact that Jyushi is now a part of a rap group, or is it the fact that Jyushi is apparently friends with some guy that made his older brother look like the world is ending? Jiro can’t necessarily piece any of it together, to make heads or tails out of it.

All he knows is that right now, he needs space. He needs some time to think about things, and probably alone. 

But his older brother’s pain comes first. 

He and Saburo stay quiet for the rest of the journey to their hotel room. When Ichiro swipes their key card and opens the door, he beelines it to the couch and heavily sighs. Saburo and Jiro give each other worried glances before taking seats on opposite sides of Ichiro and giving him an awkward hug.

“What happened, Nii-chan?” Jiro asks Ichiro. 

Ichiro looks at his tightly clasped hands and lets out all the old memories that swam  deep inside his memory. “It’s only been a couple years… somehow I’m still not over it. Well, maybe it’s because I know something wasn’t right…”

Closing his eyes and letting out a heavy sigh, Ichiro opens up about a past he had with someone that could have honestly been the only one that seemed to understand him.

“Harai Kuko was a former teammate… before The Dirty Dawg was formed. But more than that…. Kuko was my closest friend… and my only lover I guess you could say.”

Saburo furrows his eyebrows. “But Ichi-nii… for you two to look at each other like that…”

Ichiro shakes his head. “We had a falling out... if that's what you wanna call it. It’s one of the things that led to the formation of The Dirty Dawg… but I know that this isn’t right. I can’t really tell you guys why I think this but, when he walked away from me that day, I knew it wasn’t really Kuko.”

Jiro shakes his head. “Nii-chan… I don’t understand…”

Saburo shakes his head as well. “The only thing I could possibly deduce is that Harai Kuko was under the influence of a hypnosis mic. But how can that-”

“I don’t know, but that’s what I’ve been thinking all this time. That it wasn’t the real Kuko saying that to me. But if the hypnosis has lasted this long, what does that mean?” Ichiro tightens his hold on his hands. “If only I could reverse the hypnosis…”

“Have you tried that?” Jiro asks. Ichiro nods. “We had a rap battle that day. I don’t think anything went through though….”

“But just because it didn’t work the first time doesn’t mean it won’t work now! I know that it might feel like it’s something that won’t do anything now, but when Ichi-nii puts his all into something, he won’t stop until it’s done!” Saburo tightens his grip on Ichiro’s jacket. “So please don’t look like things are helpless…. Knowing Ichi-nii, you’ll find something to get Harai Kuko back to his senses.”

Ichiro sighs for a moment and it dispels all the torment and helplessness he felt moments ago.

He’s reminded of the time he shared his first kiss with Kuko. The sunset was reflecting on top of the river, and they were laughing like idiots over something. But when they looked at each other and stopped their laughter, they couldn’t help but stare at each other, eyes sparkling and faces lightly flushed. 

They had let their bodies move, bringing them closer and closer until their lips innocently pressed against one another. And even after, the smile that Kuko showed Ichiro was as bright as the sun itself.

Their memories only continued there, through shared bottles of cola, hidden moments of intimacy, and the pure adrenaline of fighting battles all mingling together. 

Those moments with Kuko were unforgettable. And he knows somewhere inside Kuko, those memories still remain.

If he can just touch upon those memories… and the emotions behind everything…. then maybe, just maybe… it will work. Instead of being blinded by betrayal and anger, Ichiro will face Kuko head on with only the memories of what was true. 

“I’ll do it again and again until he remembers.” Ichiro mutters and Jiro and Saburo give relieved smiles in return.

Ichiro looks over to Jiro with a questioning expression. “Oh yeah Jiro… why are you here? I thought you’d be with Jyushi.”

Jiro blinks and his smile fades. “About that….” Jiro looks away from Ichiro and tries to find the right words to say. “I don’t think I can face him tonight. I mean, he was friends with the one guy who has hurt Nii-chan! And then to make things worse, he is banding together with said guy and becoming a team with him! I just… I don’t think I can look at him. Not today at least….”

Ichiro puts his arm around Jiro’s shoulder and pulls him for a hug. “You need some time to think. But before you jump to conclusions, you should know Jyushi never intended on hiding all of this from you. While he was staying with us, he had worried about telling you. He didn’t want you to think that by joining a rap team, that would mean you didn’t mean anything to him.”

“I wanna change. I wanna be strong. Strong like Jiro is so I can be someone he can rely on. I’m weak, and it’s something that I’ve always just… lived with. But now I’ve found Jiro, and with Jiro came this newfound resolve to change my life. He’s done so much for me… and there's only so little I can do for him. How is that a fair exchange? I just… wanna be strong. For him, for myself. For my friends, and loved ones… That’s why I’ve decided to join a team.”

Saburo sighs. “Do you think Jyushi is the type to lie to you, or purposefully hurt you?”

Jiro shakes his head. “No, but-“

“Why the hell is there a but in that statement, Baka-Jiro!” Saburo snaps.  Jiro looks at his younger brother, shock evident on his face. “Think about how Jyushi is feeling right now! You just left him without even saying anything! I get that this is something you’re gonna have to get used to but you didn’t even spare a second to tell him you’re coming with us! Ichi-nii is precious to us, Jyushi is more than aware of that. But you just prioritized Ichi-nii and left your boyfriend behind! By being in a relationship with someone, aren’t you making that resolve to bring them into your life, and making them as important as the things you’ve already cherished?!”

Jiro stares wide eyed at Saburo, who can only glare at him before getting up from the couch. “If you can’t even have the decency to tell someone you love that you need some time to think, maybe you should just break it off with Jyushi now. It’s better than giving him false hope, only to destroy him later.”

With that, Saburo storms out of their hotel room, leaving Ichiro and Jiro alone on the couch. After the shock melts away, Jiro slumps against Ichiro, hands covering his face.

“Oh god, Nii-chan… did I… did I just mess up?”

Ichiro runs his hand through Jiro’s hair and closes his eyes. “It depends Jiro. Do you hate Jyushi now?”

Jiro shakes his head. “I don’t think so. I’m hurt that Jyushi never told me that he was in a team… I’m hurt that somehow he befriended the guy that hurt Nii-chan. I’m hurt about these things, maybe even angry.”

“But Jiro… Jyushi had brought all of us together to properly tell you these things. And the fact that he’s part of a rap team that Kuko formed is purely coincidental. Even though Jyushi is older than you, he’s experienced some painful things, you know? It probably took him a very, very long time to gather the courage to tell you… to tell all of us these things. The fact that he’s in love with someone that he can’t see every day, or the fact that he’s rapping to try and gain some self confidence… Jyushi can’t easily just say these things. He probably thinks about the worst possible scenario every single time he’s confronted with making decisions. We should never fault anybody for trying, even when they’re scared. Going forth with such things, even when it feels like everything is pulling you down… that makes Jyushi strong in his own way. So… when you think about what happened… and you think about it from Jyushi’s perspective, what is it that you see?”

Jiro doesn’t even need to visualize it.

“I always thought nobody would be able to understand me, or accept the things I like and do. People bullied me in middle school, and almost destroyed Amanda right in front of my eyes. People even made fun of me for my music preferences. When I took an interest to makeup in high school, some people called me out on it and thought I had a thing for crossdressing. While there might be an appeal, that was not the reason why I was attracted to makeup. They say the most beautiful things can be the most dangerous, right? I thought about it that way. I could use makeup to protect me, like my persona. But you’re the only one I’ve been able to tell this to, Jiro.” Jyushi leans against him with a content smile on his face. “Sometimes I think this is a dream, having this time with you, and having you as my lover.”

Jiro’s heart climbs up his throat as the tears suddenly slide down his face.

“I… walked away from Jyushi. I didn’t even tell him I want to stay with you, to see if you’re alright. I… I didn’t tell him I needed time away from him to think. Oh god he must think everything’s over. He must think I hate him- H-How could I hate him! I love him too much to hate him! I can’t believe I was selfish and only thought that he couldn’t trust me enough to tell this stuff to me sooner. Oh god Nii-chan I hurt Jyushi! I-I… I…”

Jiro’s mind stops as he hears the heart wrenching sob that comes out of Jyushi’s lips. The oh so faint cry that his mind never bothered to process as he turned away with Ichiro and Saburo. Jyushi’s cry. “J-Jiro…!”

Jiro feels like his heart has stopped.

“I… I made him cry.”

That statement alone bursts open the dam inside Jiro as he cries on Ichiro’s shoulder. He yells into Ichiro’s shoulder as he slams his fist against his leg again and again and again. “I-I’m sorry Jyushi! I-I… didn’t mean it! I just- wanted time to think! But I couldn’t… think! I’m a big fat idiot who couldn’t think about something so simple! I don’t- Jyushi!!” Ichiro’s tears slide down his face as he holds Jiro close to him. “Nii-chan what can I do! I love both Nii-chan and Jyushi, but he probably doesn’t think I think of him that way anymore! It’s already too late! He probably thinks it’s over! I made a promise to him that I wouldn’t make him cry anymore, and I’ve already broken that promise!! I don’t deserve to be forgiven, but I still want to be by his side! I never intended on breaking up with him! I don’t want him to think that I don’t love him, but how can I apologize!”

Ichiro lets out a shuddering sob as he tightens his hold on his younger brother. “Just tell him all of these things you’re telling me. Jyushi will listen to everything you’ll say. As long as you properly communicate to him the things you are experiencing, all your thoughts… it should be enough. We live in a world where the power of words is important. But as weak as we are, we sometimes never realize how strong words can be….” That slowly makes Ichiro realize something.

“...and sometimes, actions are stronger than words. They may seem weak in the big picture, but actions and words… they still mean something if you’re acting from your heart.”

Jiro’s tears slowly stop as he hears this. “From the heart?” Jiro wipes his tears from his eyes and he somehow envisions just how he would apologize.

He’d buy a bouquet of red roses. Then, he would make his way to Jyushi’s apartment. He’d pace back and forth before pressing the doorbell. When Jyushi opens the door, Jiro would pass the bouquet with his body bowed toward him. He would apologize for being the idiot he was, only focused on things like how his older brother’s pain was most important, because Harai Kuko was the only guy in the world that made his older brother look like he was in pain. 

He’d apologize for not realizing how Jyushi was calling out to him. He’d apologize for not telling Jyushi that he needed time to process all of this without getting angry at him. Jiro would then look up to Jyushi, and probably see the stream of tears as they fall from his bright blue eyes. 

Jyushi may or may not accept the bouquet. That doesn’t matter. Jiro just wants Jyushi to accept his hug. If that would happen, Jyushi may hit him or cling on to his shirt or something. But Jiro would profusely apologize until all the pain tides over. 

When they both stop crying, Jiro would ask if he could come inside. When Jyushi wipes his tears, he might let Jiro come inside.

If Jiro ever makes it back inside that lovely apartment, he’d continue to press apologies into wherever he can touch. All previous sexual tension be damned, all Jiro wants to do is make it known that he loves Jyushi, and he’s not willing to let him go.

That would probably be how he would apologize.

If he can reenact this, he might just be able to do it. 

Jiro jumps from the couch. “I’ve gotta apologize to him. I’ve gotta go!”

Ichiro watches with a tearful smile. “Good luck Jiro…”

When Ichiro is left to his thoughts, he rummages inside his jacket pocket for his hypnosis mic.

If battling words with words won’t be enough, will his actions be enough to get Kuko to remember all those times? Will Kuko be able to remember the kisses they shared, the memories they made together?

Ichiro closes his eyes and sees the pain in Kuko’s eyes. The physical pain and the emotional pain hidden deep, deep inside golden orbs that once held such joy in them.

Ichiro wonders if he can get Kuko to look like that again.

With a furious shake of his head, Ichiro tightens his grip on his hypnosis mic.

“I’ve gotta do it. If I don’t, I’ll never be able to see him like that ever again….”

Jiro buys the bouquet of roses and then looks at his phone. His lock screen shows him an utterly embarrassed Jyushi. The red flush that spreads across his face is beautiful, and the love that’s still reflected in those eyes show Jyushi’s feelings for Jiro.

He never intended to hide anything. He was just scared of what would happen. He assumed only the worst of the things could happen, because of all that he experienced in his past.

Jyushi finally gathered the courage to tell Jiro his plans. That he was coming together with Harai Kuko and their lawyer buddy or something to join the division rap battles. That he was taking up a hypnosis mic to become stronger. And that he was trying to become stronger so then Jiro had someone he could rely on.

Jiro begins drafting a message to send to Jyushi.

I’m sorry.

Jiro walks down the street and groans.

I needed time to think.

Backspacing all of the terrible words, Jiro waits for the crosswalk light to change. 

I didn’t ever want you to think that I don’t love you anymore. 

Jiro feels confident with this sentence and he notices the light has changed. He walks alongside fellow pedestrians as he continues typing.

I felt like I needed some time to process it, without you around. But I’m the one at fault, because I never told you anything and just walked away with Nii-chan and Saburo.

Jiro is almost on the other side of the street when a car loses control.

I love you Jyushi. I’ll never stop loving you. 

Jiro only realizes at the last moment that the car has no intention of stopping.

Red rose petals fly into the air as Jiro gets hit. He gets pushed towards the sidewalk, where his head hits the concrete. Jiro can’t understand what just happened. Why was he looking up at the sky?

Oh, the sky was getting darker. Or was it just him losing consciousness?

I can’t… Why am I here now, unable to move!

“I… I’ve got to tell Jyushi…. I… still love him….”

Blood pools out from underneath Jiro and the passerbys all try to call for help.

One takes Jiro’s phone that tumbled away from him. The screen is cracked to oblivion, but somehow it’s still somewhat functional.

The man takes a look at the emergency contacts list and contacts everyone on it.

But even though he called, there was no response from any of them. He had two contacts, and they didn’t pick up.

The man couldn’t just leave the boy all by himself while he was brought to the hospital. 

Even while he’s in the ambulance with him, the man tries calling the emergency contacts. But time and time again, he only gets voicemail.

“What’s the point of an emergency contact if you don’t pick up!” He yells softly as the emergency responders monitor the teen’s stats.

The man soon finds out later that the boy’s name was Yamada Jiro. His only emergency contacts were Yamada Ichiro and Saburo. But they weren’t the one he was trying to message.

Trying to move about through the cracked screen, the man tries to find the contact for the one he was messaging.

He doesn’t find a “Jyushi” in the contacts list, but he finds a “My Love from Nagoya” in the list. He presses the call button and waits, and hopes for a response.

The person does pick up. “Hello? A… Are you by chance acquainted with a Yamada Jiro-kun?”

The person on the other side gasps. “J-Jiro…?”

The man slumps against the seat he was sitting in and rubs his eyes. “I… I was just passing by when Yamada Jiro-kun got hit by a car. I came along with him, because his family isn’t picking up. Please come over… I… I think there were a lot of things he wanted to tell you.”

When he hangs up, the man tries to read all the unsent messages Yamada Jiro tried to send “Jyushi.”

The man can’t help but cry a little after he finishes reading all the messages.

“A kid was just trying to apologize to his boyfriend… how messed up is this world if people end up getting hurt just trying to save what they cherished?”

Jyushi feels like his heart is thundering against his chest… But at the same time it feels like it’s slowing to a stop. His phone falls out of his hands and Amanda looks up, worried.

That’s when they almost scream. 

The red string connecting Jiro and Jyushi was fraying, and it looked like it was on the verge of breaking. “J-Jyushi! I-Is there something wrong?! Y-Your string… Jiro…!” 

Jyushi’s tears fall to the floor as he stands where he is in his apartment. “J-Jiro was in a car accident… I-I’ve gotta go to the hospital!”

But even when he knows this, he can’t bring himself to move. All the events from hardly a couple hours ago are still fresh in his head. Everything still feels raw. And the first thing Jyushi can remember is that way Jiro turned his back from him and walked with his brothers. What if it meant that Jiro had intentions on…!

His phone buzzes again and Amanda looks down.

“I didn’t ever want you to think that I don’t love you anymore.” Jyushi’s tears come to a stop as his closest friend reads the text messages.

“I felt like I needed some time to process it, without you around. But I’m the one at fault, because I never told you anything and just walked away with Nii-chan and Saburo.” Jyushi crouches down to read the messages himself, finding it hard to believe. 

Another buzz and it makes Jyushi’s tears overflow once again.

“I love you Jyushi. I’ll never stop loving you.”

“JIRO!!” Jyushi wraps his arms around his knees and sobs. Amanda walks towards Jyushi and tries to climb somewhere to try and hug their dear friend. “Jyushi… At least Jiro didn’t hate you like you thought, right?”

Jyushi nods, but continues to sob. “But now J-Jiro is hurt! A-And I somehow can’t gather the guts to walk out of this place to even see him!”

“Why do you need courage to see someone you love?”

Jyushi sniffs. “Because Ichiro-san and Saburo-kun… they might hate me for being friends with Kuko-san and Hitoya-san…”

“I seriously don’t think that's the case. I just think that Yamada Ichiro and Kuko-san need to… talk things over. Probably with their hypnosis mics. I mean, you heard what Kuko-san said right? It’s like static in his brain. He feels like he’s supposed to hate Yamada Ichiro, but he can’t find the reason why he’s supposed to hate him.”

Amanda ends up climbing onto Jyushi’s hands and places their stuffed appendages on Jyushi’s tear-streaked face. “It will take a lot, but things will be sorted out. So… doesn’t this just mean that the only thing you can do is meet with someone you love, and make sure that they’re okay?” 

Jyushi sobs. “I know I should… and I want to…! It’s just… I’m scared…”

“You don't want it to be like the actual end. You don’t want to be there if Jiro does… pass away?”

“Don’t say that Amanda!” Jyushi cries a little harder. Amanda feels bad for saying it, but the fraying string only brings down the sobering fact that it’s a possibility.

“I’m sorry Jyushi… I just had to say it. Because I want you to go to the hospital, no matter if you’re scared or unwilling. I feel like you’d be able to say all these things you haven’t been able to if Jiro’s just sleeping. Like… how he makes you feel.”

Jyushi looks at Amanda, who tries to collect Jyushi’s tears with their stuffed appendages. “What things do you mean?”

Amanda laughs softly. “Like, how you think it would be nice to marry Jiro and have a life like the one you guys played in The Life Game. How you could imagine marrying Jiro sometime in the future, like even in a couple of years when Jiro is out of high school. How you could consider adopting children and creating your own family that seems to be built from love. How… you were nervous about introducing Jiro to your grandmother, but you never regretted it in the end… There’s so many things you tell me about how being in this relationship with Jiro makes you feel, but you never tell him.”

Jyushi cradles Amanda in his hands and holds them close. “Because Amanda is my most important friend. I’d tell you everything because I know you’d be there to listen.”

“You’re supposed to give this role to your lover, Jyushi. While I love you, I can’t make you happy in the way Jiro makes you. So… tell Jiro all these things. Let it all out and allow yourself this little reprieve from all the things you bottle up.”

Jyushi blinks. “Will it help Jiro wake up?”

Amanda shrugs. “It might. It might not. But at the very least… you can have this chance to tell Jiro you’d never hate him. That all you two had was a lapse in communication, and you’ll talk about everything when Jiro wakes up…”

Jyushi rushes to grab his coat. “O-Okay. I’ll go and see him.”

Amanda doesn’t even have the chance to praise Jyushi for making the decision to go.

Jyushi’s world blurs and becomes dizzy as a piercing pain makes him tumble back down to the floor. He clutches his chest as the pain makes it hard for him to breathe. Jyushi’s vision comes in and out of focus, and when it comes into focus again, he sees this dull red string on his left pinky. Tears fall onto the floor as Jyushi is filled with panic and confusion.

“What is… this?! Red string…?! I-Is this… what connects me to Jiro??”

Amanda tries to grab Jyushi’s phone, but their stuffed appendages can’t hit the buttons on the screen. “Jyushi?! Call Hitoya-san or Kuko-san!”

Jyushi tries to get closer to Amanda and his phone, but he collapses mere inches from them. 

Amanda can’t believe what happened. Was it even real?!

With nervous steps, they try to see if Jyushi is still breathing. Fortunately, he is, but it doesn’t answer the question of what Jyushi said before passing out.

Amanda takes a look at the red string that lies on the floor. Its vibrant red is becoming more and more dull, and the threads were unraveling very quickly. 

Amanda can’t help but worry. Just what was happening right now? Was Jiro in danger? Is that why Jyushi passed out?

And most importantly… why was it happening to them?

Ichiro is in the middle of an empty park when a flash of vibrant red hair comes into view. “What the hell do you want, Ichiro?” Kuko yells from a distance. His hands are stuffed inside his pockets, but from the tense stance he adopts, he’s seconds away from whipping out his hypnosis mic.

“I want you to tell me your actual feelings towards me, Kuko!” Ichiro yells back. He knows Kuko told him something heart breaking when they had their falling out. But no matter how many times Ichiro replays it in his head, it just didn’t seem… right. Not when just the day before they were sharing kisses and smiles before Ichiro dropped Kuko off at his residence. 

Kuko’s eyebrow twitches. He’s this close to telling Ichiro he hates his guts. But even so, the piercing pain crawls back up and covers his entire head until he’s hearing ringing in his ears and flashing images are ingrained in the back of his eyes. 

“I… I told you already Ichiro! I hate your guts!!”

Ichiro doesn’t buy it. Not when Kuko is staggering where he stands. So instead Ichiro walks closer to him. From a distance, Hitoya is about to react, but an arm stops him. He looks down at the youngest Yamada who knows just what should happen. “Ichi-nii is trying to help Harai Kuko. To reverse the hypnosis that was placed on Harai Kuko that made him believe he hated Ichi-nii.”

“How do you know that it’s hypnosis to be exact?” Saburo shakes his head. “We don’t. It is just the most logical option in comparison to everything else. How else is one supposed to react when they have a loving relationship with someone one day, only to learn the next day your partner just said they hated you from the very beginning?”

Hitoya sighs. “It’s definitely a sound solution. But how is Yamada Ichiro going to try to reverse the hypnosis?”

Saburo’s lips are pulled in the smallest of smiles. 

“Why… with the power of love.”

And it all begins with a hug. The air gets taken away from Kuko’s lungs at the sensation of being hugged. His body remembers how it was like being hugged like this. They’re a little older, and Ichiro’s physique changed a lot more than Kuko’s did, but that same warm feeling that spread across his body from his core outwards was just like it felt the first time they hugged.

Images play in the back of his mind. The happy ones that he could always look back on with a fond smile. It all runs fast forward until Kuko recognizes the scenery of one particular memory. They were… right outside where Kuko rented out a space to live in while he was there in Ikebukuro. It was… a beautiful sunset as Ichiro pulls him in for that routine hug and parting kiss before he left to pick up Jiro and Saburo. 

Kuko’s heart throbs as a splitting pain makes him feel like his head’s being torn in half.

“S-Stop this Ichiro!!” Kuko forces Ichiro off with all his strength before whipping out his hypnosis mic. Without giving Ichiro a chance to take his own out, Kuko sends a terrible verse towards Ichiro in an attempt to keep him away.

But even though the impact of the rap was enough to knock someone out, Ichiro still stands. His speakers glow brightly as his rap counters Kuko’s. The lyrics are filled with love and hope, and as the words got sent towards him, Kuko was able to feel them as they wormed their way through his splitting headache.

Kuko can see a little more through the static that plagues him. 

Eyes shut tightly, and hands clenching to his hypnosis mic, Kuko lets out a grunt of pain as the doors that seemed forever shut are opened little by little.

Kuko is waving Ichiro off as he reluctantly lets go of him and walks down the street. They’re both smiling like crazy in anticipation for tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow would be another crazy, yet enjoyable day with Sasara and Samatoki. He couldn’t wait.

The static shuts the doors again and it both irritates and relieves Kuko. When he gathers himself a little more, he sends more verses to Ichiro, trying to pry this dreadful feeling away from his heart. 

This dreadful feeling that told him… he might’ve done something that led them here. 

Ichiro comes closer to Kuko, closer and closer until he is standing right in front of him.

Without a second to waste, Ichiro has his arms around Kuko once again. The hug is comforting, just like always. Kuko remembers that much. But as to… the feeling in his heart and the pain in his head… it just made everything worse. 

“Remember, Kuko! Remember all the good and bad things! Somewhere deep inside you, I know you know what you told me wasn’t right! If that’s the case, then break through the hypnosis!”

Kuko furrows his eyebrows. “How the hell do ya know it’s hypnosis?!”

“I don’t! That’s the thing! I think it’s hypnosis, because literally one day we were lovers, and the next thing I know we’re at each other’s throats! You told me you hated my guts, and you didn’t look like yourself Kuko! You didn’t… look like the man I fell in love with.”

Ichiro tightens his grip on Kuko’s arms before looking down to gaze at those golden orbs that once followed his every move and glittered like starlight. “Remember the fact we still love each other, Kuko….”

With those words, Ichiro fills his verse with love and hope, the memories of the past and ambitions for the future. 

To tell Kuko he loved him, and always has loved him. The memories they have never were sullied by the events that caused their falling out.

As Ichiro’s speakers prepare to send his attack to the both of them, Kuko is frozen stiff. “Oi Ichiro! You’re gonna get caught up in your own damn attack!!”

Even so, Ichiro doesn’t move from where he stands. In fact, he holds Kuko even tighter. “I love you Kuko. And I know you can break through this. I know you can…”

Kuko can’t even push Ichiro away when Ichiro’s attack comes at them. The pain from Ichiro’s love and hope-filled verse is almost never ending. Kuko’s head just hurts so much . But his answers are almost in reach.

He’s always wanted to know why he suddenly said he hated Ichiro’s guts. That was the one thing that bothered him. Did Ichiro do something weird? Kuko needs to know this answer. 

He didn’t want to show Jyushi and Hitoya the pain he’s dealt with any further. He needed answers.

Kuko’s hypnosis mic falls from his hands as his body goes limp in Ichiro’s hold. “Remember… remember it all Kuko!” Ichiro collapses to the grass and Saburo and Hitoya rush towards them.

“Ichi-nii!”

“Kuko!”

Their cries fall on deaf ears as Kuko has vivid dreams. Or are they recollections?

Kuko watches as he waves goodbye to Ichiro. He’s about to walk into the building his apartment is in when a mysterious figure emerges from the darkness of the hallway.

Kuko is momentarily surprised until irritation rises. “You…. You’re awfully persistent about forming a group with Ichiro and Samatoki.”

A high pitched laugh. “Well, of course I am! Those two are powerful. Much more powerful than you.”

Kuko is aware of that much. But he’s still strong in his own right. Everyone in Mad Comic Dialogue recognizes everyone’s skill is powerful in their own way. Plus, he’s got Ichiro’s support no matter what happens.

Kuko’s fingers twitch. “So what. Are ya gonna try to get rid of me?”

A sinister smile. “Of course that’s what I’m gonna do.”

Kuko doesn’t like the sight of that smile one bit. It’s only when he’s injured, hurled away from his apartment complex by the impact of one verse that he realizes.

The mic this guy’s holding isn’t like the normal ones.

“From this moment on, you are going to hate Yamada Ichiro.”

Kuko’s eyes fly open at that and he stares up at the sky. Hitoya comes into view. “Oi Kuko. Are you okay?”

Kuko can’t even bring himself to lie. Not when all he wants to do is sleep. But he needs to stay awake a little longer. Just enough to tell Ichiro… “I won’t sleep until I tell Ichiro…. what I need to tell him.”

Hitoya sighs as he supports Kuko. But even though he’s worried about Kuko’s condition, Kuko looks like he’s found peace. That much is enough for Hitoya. He’ll have to tell Jyushi when this whole ordeal is done with.

Ichrio’s eyes slowly open and Kuko feels the sting of tears prick his eyes. 

“Ichi-nii!”

Saburo yells as he slowly supports Ichiro up. With a groan, Ichiro clears his vision and looks at Kuko’s teary expression. Immediately panic fills him, but it’s all discarded when Kuko has his arms wrapped around him. Just like the old days. 

“You were right Ichiro. It was hypnosis. I finally got my answer.”

It takes Ichiro a little while to have the entire thing settle and he ends up tearing up a little. He returns the hug as gently as he can. “I see. So it was hypnosis….”

When Kuko pulls away, he gently wipes away the tears from Ichiro with a small smile. “I never hated ya Ichiro… I never did.”

“I believed in you, Kuko. I believed it wasn’t the end for us.” Kuko ends up smiling at that. “Ha. Do ya think we can start over?”

Ichiro runs his hands through Kuko’s short hair with a fond smile. “There’s no reason to start over, Kuko. We’ll just get started where we left off.” All the tension leaves Kuko and with a relieved smile, his eyes slowly shut. 

“I’m glad… I can still love Ichiro…”

Ichiro holds Kuko’s frame as he falls forward. Ichiro doesn’t dare let Kuko go. Not like the other times in the past. “Get some rest Kuko…. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Saburo and Hitoya look at each other, somewhat relieved. “It looks like your older brother had something going for him.” Saburo nods. “Ichi-nii told us that he didn’t like how Harai Kuko looked when he told Ichi-nii that he hated him. He thought all this time it was hypnosis, but when all he could think of was anger and betrayal, it wouldn’t be enough. It certainly is a miracle that Ichi-nii managed to reverse the hypnosis on Harai Kuko though…”

Hitoya takes a deep breath. “Well, it doesn’t matter now, does it?”

“Eh?” Saburo looks at the adult with a questioning glance.

“As long as the outcome is a good one, that’s all that matters, right? There’s no reason to worry about things we can’t possibly solve on our own. When Kuko wakes up, we can ask him how it happened.”

After a long moment, Saburo nods. “That is true…”

At that moment, Saburo’s phone rings for the nth time and he’s seriously at his limit.

“Why are you constantly calling me, Baka-Jiro!! I thought you were trying to make up with Jyushi!!”

But the voice on the other side is not Jiro. “Finally! I got a hold of you! Are you Yamada Jiro-kun’s family member Yamada… Saburo-san?”

Saburo doesn’t like the sound of this one bit. The worry must show on his face, because Ichiro is on alert. “Y-yes… I’m Yamada Jiro’s younger brother… Yamada Saburo….”

A heavy sigh. “I don’t think you want to hear this from a strange businessman like me, but I couldn’t just leave him alone….”

Saburo feels the panic begin to settle heavy over his bones and his hand shakes. “P-please mister…. what’s happened to my older brother?”

A moment of silence as the man gathers his words. “... your older brother was in a car accident. He was trying to message his significant other when a car lost control and hit him. I’ve contacted his significant other as well, but he has yet to show up… I-I don’t think he’s in good condition right now… please come as fast as you can.”

Saburo’s phone drops from his hand and silently tears up. “J-Jiro… I-Ichi-nii… Jiro’s in the hospital…”

Immediately Ichiro grabs Saburo’s phone. “Hello! This is Yamada Ichiro, Yamada Jiro’s older brother! Where is my brother?”

“We brought him to the closest hospital, X General Hospital. Please come as soon as possible.”

“O-of course…” Ichiro is worried, and Saburo is in tears. Saburo rarely cries when it comes to Jiro… he must be beating himself up over the words he threw at Jiro before leaving the room. Ichiro pulls him in for a hug as Saburo tries to wipe the sudden onslaught of tears from his face. 

At that moment another phone rings. It’s Hitoya’s.

“Hello… are you perhaps Amaguni Hitoya-san?”

Hitoya’s eyes furrow. “Yes, that is me. What is wrong?”

“I’m calling from X General Hospital. You were listed as an emergency contact for Aimono Jyushi-kun…”

“Jyushi?! What’s wrong with Jyushi!”

Ichiro and Saburo are on alert at that statement. 

“Aimono Jyushi-kun had collapsed and was sent here. His condition keeps on fluctuating, like his condition reflects that of another patient here….” The person on the other line realizes they shouldn’t have said anything.

Hitoya knows that X General Hospital is the closest hospital to Jyushi’s apartment. And considering how Saburo and Ichiro reacted just now… Jiro was most likely sent to X General as well.

“His significant other is there. That might be the one whose condition reflects Jyushi’s. We’ll come as soon as we can.”

Hitoya sighs after hanging up. “Jyushi is in the hospital.”

Ichiro and Saburo stare in shock, the panic probably leaving them frozen stiff. Hitoya takes it upon himself to do the responsible thing and guides them towards a taxi. “Jiro and Jyushi are both at X General Hospital. Right now we have no clue as to what has happened, be it Jiro’s car accident or Jyushi collapsing. For now, the only thing we can do is go to the hospital and hear the situation from the doctors themselves. Yamada.”

“Yes?” Ichiro and Saburo both respond. Hitoya sighs again. “Yamada Ichiro.”

“Yes, Amaguni-san?” Ichiro’s hold around Kuko doesn’t ease up in the slightest. Even when Kuko is unconscious though, he ends up reaching out for Ichiro’s warmth. Hitoya places his hand on Ichiro’s shoulder.

“I leave my leader to you. I’ll meet you guys at the hospital.”

With that he slams the taxi door and watches the teenagers go down the street.

Finding a nearby tree he gives it a good punch. First, Kuko’s problems took a mental and physical strain on him. The hypnosis was broken, but at what cost?

Then, Yamada Jiro’s car accident and Jyushi collapsing... the fact that they’re sent to the hospital at around the same time seems very suspicious. There have been instances of loved ones passing soon after one has left the world. But this is Jyushi and Jiro. Teenagers, experiencing such a strange phenomenon that seemed uncannily like those instances of long wedded partners leaving the world after one's passing.

“Just what the hell’s going on here…?”

Ichiro and Saburo run into the hospital as soon as the taxi stops and they pay their fare. Kuko’s still unconscious, but Ichiro’s strong hold on him doesn’t allow Kuko to fall. 

“Excuse me! We’re looking for Yamada Jiro and Aimono Jyushi!” Saburo scrambles to the reception desk. The nurse tries to not look affected by Saburo’s panicked expression. “I’m sorry, but only family members can visit them at this time.”

“I’m Yamada Jiro’s younger brother! Jyushi’s my brother’s boyfriend! Can’t we see them both? Please?” Saburo knows if he were level headed, he should know the answer to this. It would be no. They’d only be able to see Jiro, because they are family members. But he isn’t level headed. His young 14 year old self is reacting to the fact his older brother got run over by a car, and his older brother’s boyfriend somehow collapsed at what seems like the same time. 

And it haunts him. The fact that he knows all these things about history and computers and everything textbooks could teach him, but even so, he can’t do a single thing medically to help them.

The nurse shakes her head. “... Yamada Jiro-kun is currently in the ICU. Based on his records, he should be relocated to a room in the next few hours.” The nurse tries to not look at the sobbing teen in front of her eyes, but how could she not?

This was the difficult part of this job. The nurse takes a long look at the boy in front of her. The teen looks frustrated, hot angry tears streaming from his face. But then a comforting hand is placed on his shoulder. 

The teen looks up and sees the look of resignation on the older man’s face. “Let’s go, Saburo. We need to find the man who called you and thank him for not leaving Jiro alone.”

Quickly wiping his tears away, the teen nods and after saying a small thanks to the receptionist, walks away. 

The nurse goes back to her computer work, trying to not dwell on the emotional baggage that the teen is probably having right this moment.

The tired businessman stands on his feet the moment he sees three teens come his way. Based off their contact images, he recognizes them to be Jiro’s brothers.

“You two must be Jiro-kun’s brothers… I’m so glad you made it.”

The older teen readjusts a slumbering teen in his hold before bowing to him. “Thank you for taking care of my younger brother in our place.”

The businessman shakes his head and urges Ichiro (thankfully the businessman had enough time to distinguish the two based off of Jiro’s camera gallery) to stand up. “It’s no problem at all. I just couldn’t let a good kid like him go to the hospital all alone. And based off what I see, something else big had happened… the good thing is that you two had arrived. Jiro-kun’s boyfriend though…”

The younger teen (Saburo, the businessman thinks) shakes at the recollection. “W…We heard that Jiro’s boyfriend had collapsed… he’s apparently in this hospital as well.”

And that’s something that shocked the businessman. “D-Do you know what happened? He was still okay when I managed to phone him…”

The two teens shake their heads, their expressions full of worry. The businessman can understand that. Suddenly hearing your brother and said brother’s significant other got sent to the hospital is something shocking. It’s almost like it’s too cruel to be real, and yet it is real. 

“... I can only relay what I’ve heard from doctors regarding Jiro-kun… Is that enough?”

Ichiro and Saburo nod. “Please, everything you can tell us is appreciated.” Ichiro readjusts the teen on his back so he can sit down on a chair next to the businessman. Saburo takes the seat closer to Ichiro.

“The accident itself wasn’t as bad as it could have been. But Jiro-kun took a hard hit to the head when he fell that the doctors are worried about. The rest of his injuries have been worked on and he should be in a safe zone after a few more hours. But a couple of times, he almost flatlined for short moments of time. The doctors don’t know if it’s because of his injuries, but it’s only happened a couple of times. Besides those outstanding problems, Jiro-kun should be okay. We just have to wait for him to finally wake up.”

He passes Jiro’s damaged phone and Saburo takes the device. He’s able to work Jiro’s phone despite the extremely cracked screen, and he sees the amount of times this businessman called both him and Ichiro. As well as the drafted message Jiro had sent to Jyushi.

And somehow Saburo only thought that Jiro was trying to get out of confronting his relationship problems.

The businessman pulls out the rose from his breast pocket and gives it to them as well. Saburo’s tear-filled eyes follow the rose as it moves to Ichiro’s hand. 

The classic red rose. Its symbolism representing true love, romance, desire. The simplest way to convey the words “I love you” when the words themselves just can’t seem to come out.

“I think Jiro-kun wanted to give these to his lover. There were a lot of them in the bouquet in his hand… but I could only find one that was intact like this.”

And somehow, this knowledge makes Saburo shed more tears than he’s ever shed in the entire year.

Jiro had no intention of breaking anything off with Jyushi like Saburo assumed. He was trying to make things right. But instead of being with his boyfriend, sharing hugs and kisses, they were both lying unconscious in the hospital.

And somehow, Saburo fears that it was his fault that Jiro landed in the hospital like this.

Saburo looks up to Ichiro, never ending tears streaming from his face. “I-Ichi-nii… was this my fault?”

Ichiro readjusts Kuko in his hold before pulling Saburo in for a hug. “Don’t say that it’s your fault, Saburo. It isn’t your fault. Things just happened… Things that we can’t possibly control, even though our words are powerful. Even if our words are powerful, we aren’t gods who can control everyone. We can’t try to eradicate violence when violence is everywhere. And… Jiro’s accident is just one of those things that happen that we can’t control. Just believe in Jiro, okay Saburo? Believe that he’ll wake up. Believe that everything will be okay soon enough.”

Saburo lets Ichiro gently stroke his head as he continues to sob. When the comforting words are processed, Saburo ends up believing Ichiro. This was just an accident nobody could prevent. Not him, or Ichiro. Not even this businessman that was passing by when the accident happened. 

“So we just have to believe in that Baka-Jiro to wake up, huh…?” Saburo sniffs and wipes his eyes with his sleeve. “Okay. I’ll wait for him. And then when he wakes up, I’ll yell at him for getting into this accident when he was just supposed to make up with his boyfriend.”

Ichiro tries to hold back his tears as a laugh comes out. “As expected of Saburo. You’ll know exactly what to do when things are like this.”

Saburo softly laughs as an attempt to will away the tears. But he knows soon enough it won’t be a successful attempt. 

“I-I’m gonna go wash my face.”

Ichiro lets Saburo have a few minutes of alone time, knowing that his younger brother will have problems trying to feel like it wasn’t his fault.  While he would prefer to comfort Saburo  at least a little bit, he knows that his words would come short compared to Saburo’s self-loathing. On top of that, Kuko’s still unconscious, and Hitoya is nowhere to be found yet. 

Being left in the dark regarding Jyushi’s status brings weight down on Ichiro’s shoulders as well, and the only thing he can do is hold Kuko a little tighter and stare at the almost perfect rose in his hand.

Why did it have to be Jiro and Jyushi? That’s the one question that runs through Ichiro’s head on a vicious repeat cycle, and when he can’t come up with any sort of answer. It just frustrates him even more.

The businessman continues to sit next to Ichiro, not remarking about Ichiro’s tears and frustration, the normal reactions to having a loved one land in the hospital.

But he looks over to Ichiro. “Say, Ichiro-kun? Tell me more about Jiro-kun.”

Ichiro looks at him with an expression of utter shock before a wide smile spreads on his face. 

While stroking vibrant locks of red hair, he tells this kind businessman about his precious little brother.

Saburo tries to wash his face enough so that his swollen eyes won’t look so pathetic. But even though he does that, he knows he’s cried a lot. And it wouldn’t stop from here, because just the mere thought of Jiro and Jyushi somewhere in this hospital is enough for him to shed a few more tears.

As he leaves the restroom, he spots something red flash in front of his eyes. It only seemed to be there for a split second, and when Saburo tries to focus his vision again, it’s gone. Blinking a few more times, it comes and goes. Rubbing his eyes, Saburo looks in front of him, and keeps looking.

The red thing was there. It looked like a red string, but it didn’t seem vibrant at all. Saburo looks left and right. The string continues down the bleak expanse of the hospital floors. From his right was supposed to be going back to where Jiro was currently at, so left might mean…

Was Jyushi there? Saburo couldn’t help but jump at that possibility and quickly speeds down the hallway. As Saburo focuses on the string, he realizes that the string doesn’t fade from his vision anymore. He can only hope that at the other side of this string was indeed Jyushi.

After reaching the end of the hallway, he finds himself climbing the stairs until he reaches floor two. The string continues to lead him down the hallway, where numerous hospital rooms are. But then the string crowds around another room. 

Looking through the small glass opening in the door, Saburo could recognize that head of black and blonde, with a worn, yet loved pig by his side.

No nurses were around at the time, so Saburo takes this as his opportunity to slip into Jyushi’s room.

At first glance, Saburo thought that Jyushi was just sleeping. It seemed like everything was normal. But the one thing he focused on was the red string tied to Jyushi’s pinky finger. Pulling up the chair close to the bed, Saburo takes Jyushi’s larger hand and closer inspects the string.

The string was a dark red. But it seemed like it was stained by some sorts. It had lighter parts, and darker parts as well. In fact, it seemed like the color of the string itself was fluctuating on its own. 

The second, more confusing observation was the state of the string itself. It looked frayed, like it was close to snapping off at any moment. 

There’s a curious part to Saburo that desires to know what’s important about this string. Why can he see this thing in the first place?

Sliding his hand down, he’s about the give the string a little tug when he hears a voice.

“No! Don’t do that, Yamada Saburo!!”

Saburo jumps at the sudden outburst and frantically looks around. But his hand still touches the red string, and Jyushi’s stats all plummet. The beeping continues to shoot warning signs in Saburo’s brain and he leaps away from Jyushi’s side, fear making his legs tremble.

“W-What just happened?!”

Saburo never expected the stuffed pig of all things to answer him. 

“That, Yamada Saburo, was Jyushi and Jiro on the verge of death once again.”

Saburo doesn’t understand why that even made any sense. But as soon as Saburo stopped touching the string, Jyushi’s stats all rose again, and he continued to look like he was in a comfortable sleep once again. 

So Jyushi’s stuffed pig, that can somehow talk, was telling some sort of truth. He brings the pig closer to him. “Please, explain this situation! What’s going on between Jiro and Jyushi? Why are they both attached to this string? And why were they dying because I touched this string?!”

Amanda tells Saburo everything they know about this string. How, in the beginning, it was only attached to Jiro’s finger. And then as the day passed, and they talked some more, it grew longer and longer. Before Jiro leaves Jyushi’s hotel room, they share their first kiss and that becomes the sealing deal on the string. It completely wraps around Jyushi’s finger and is securely tied. They have their first date the very next day, and the string becomes more and more reinforced.

Even when they were hours apart, Amanda could see how vibrant and strong that string has become. From their frequent messages and phone calls, they never really forgot about the fact that they had someone waiting for them on the other side.

But even if they had that faith, Amanda could see with their own two eyes just what reuniting at Ikebukuro did for them. They didn’t want to part from each other at all. The little things they told each other seeped into their memory, and then it seeped into their string. Their promise to uncover everything about each other, and their steady progression through this relationship kept their string alive. It was because it was solidified by their trust in one another. Without that trust… what would happen?

Amanda didn’t want to think that this might’ve been caused by actions from earlier, but they turn around in Saburo’s hand, thinking that it might’ve been the case.

“Jyushi and I never knew Yamada Ichiro and Kuko-san were in a relationship in the past. It might’ve been wrong on our part to just think that just because we’re from Nagoya that you guys haven’t met anybody else from here before. But after that… reunion… Jiro left with you and your brother, and Jyushi couldn’t stop crying.

“He ended up stopping after Kuko-san tried to tell him it was okay. But maybe I was imagining things, but I thought maybe the string was starting to fray. It makes sense though… if Jiro couldn’t trust Jyushi, it would negatively affect their string.

“But some time later, when Jyushi returns home, it seems to recover a little. It looks almost normal, but dull at the same time. And then…”

“Jiro’s accident happened.” Saburo continues. Amanda nods. “ Jyushi was home, trying to think of ways to explain to Jiro why he did what he did. He wanted to try to be able to explain to him just how much Kuko-san and Hitoya-san saved his life. Without them… it's a possibility Jyushi himself wouldn’t be in this world anymore.”

If anything, Saburo knows from Jiro just how difficult Jyushi’s life has been. Amanda can only look up to Saburo with a sense of helplessness. “Jyushi never intended on hurting you all. He never, ever thought things would turn out this way. He envisioned an outcome like they wouldn’t like each other… but not the fact that Yamada Ichiro and Kuko-san were ex-lovers…”

“Ah… that…?” Saburo’s eyes soften. “That part got sorted out.”

Amanda can’t blink, but somehow Saburo can imagine this pig would be blinking rapidly to convey their shock. “W-Was it hypnosis like Jyushi thought?!” Saburo nods, taking his fingers and gently stroking the stuffed pig. “Ichi-nii thought all this time that it was hypnosis as well. But because of the blinding anger and betrayal he felt towards Harai Kuko, he couldn't successfully break through the hypnosis Harai Kuko was placed under.”

“The power of words is important, but one must also remember that there's importance in emotion as well.”

A long moment of silence falls over the both of them until Saburo squeezes his hold on Amanda. “They’ll both be okay… right?”

Amanda can only place their head on Saburo’s palm. “They’ll be okay. We just have to give them time to recover.” Jyushi’s monitor begins beeping once again, and it alarms them out of their little peace and quiet. Saburo begins panicking at the signs of Jyushi’s stats dropping. 

But then when Saburo’s panicked tears fall, Jyushi’s eyes shoot open.

There is no explicit explanation for this scenario. The doctors can’t seem to make heads or tails out of it, but Jyushi is cleared to go. The moment he gets his medical bill taken care of, he’s rushing to Jiro. The moment Ichiro sees him, he stops Jyushi from coming in as best as he can with Kuko in his arms.

“No! I need to see Jiro! He-he was in a car accident right?! I-I need to see him!” His panicked tears continue flowing as he crumbles to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.

Saburo finally catches up to Jyushi and tries to pull him up. “You just woke up Jyushi… you shouldn’t push yourself…”

“But Jiro-“

“Probably just needs some time to rest.” Ichiro says sadly. “He probably needs to figure out how he’s gonna apologize to you.”

Jyushi’s tears flow uncontrollably. “Why… Why did this have to happen to Jiro…! If only I knew Ichiro-san and Kuko-san had a bad past… it wouldn’t have turned out this way…!”

Ichiro looks down at Kuko and a slightly happier smile spreads on his face. “But y’know, Jyushi? I think that things will still be alright. It will probably take awhile to realize that… but I think everything will eventually find their place again… Like me and Kuko.”

Jyushi sniffs and his tears slow to a stop. “Eh?”

Saburo gently pats Jyushi’s shoulder. “Ichi-nii and Harai Kuko made up. There was some sort of hypnosis put on Harai Kuko to tell him to hate Ichi-nii, and Ichi-nii managed to break through it with the power of his words.”

A layer of burden gets lifted from Jyushi’s shoulders upon hearing this. “So it was hypnosis…! I didn’t think it was anything besides that…. but finding the reason to it…”

“Even we don’t know. But Harai Kuko is still sleeping. Maybe he has more to say once he’s recovered.” Saburo hands Amanda over to Jyushi. “So don’t worry too much about Jiro-nii. Like Ichi-nii says, everything will find its place. He probably just has problems finding the right words to say to you, to apologize for hurting you.”

Jyushi pulls Amanda closer to himself in a hug and looks at the dark red string that slithers its way down the hallway and past the doors to the ICU.

“Why is it so dark though…” Jyushi says softly.

Night has fallen when Kuko stirs awake. He groans as he first registers the uncomfortable position he was in. But as his vision clears, he sees red and green eyes looking at him with utter worry.

“Ichi…ro…?”

Ichiro’s smile of relief is accompanied with tears. “Morning there, Kuko.”

“Kuko-san!!!” Jyushi cries. As much as he wants to pull Kuko into a hug, he won’t. But it doesn’t stop the tears from freely falling down his face.

“Why’re ya cryin’ Jyushi? It’s not like I’m dead or something…” Kuko groans and the sobs only intensify from Jyushi as soon as he says that.

Hitoya has his hand on Jyushi’s back awkwardly as he tries to comfort the sobbing teen. “Yamada Jiro is still okay, Jyushi. Don’t worry.”

“I-I…!”

Hearing this clears the remaining fog from Kuko’s head as he sits up on Ichiro’s lap. “This is a fuckin’ hospital! What happened?!”

Jyushi continues sobbing and Saburo looks at Ichiro worriedly. Ichiro shakes his hand and he eases Kuko off his lap. “I’ll explain everything Kuko. For now though, let’s go get some air outside.” Kuko stuffs his hands in his jacket pockets and looks at the way Jyushi is hunched over, sobbing his eyes out. He knows Jyushi is easy to cry, but to cry this much, when he didn’t cry that much before?

Something wrong must’ve happened.

Something Kuko doesn’t like one bit.

The night air is chilly in comparison to the sweltering heat of summer. Perhaps it’s because of the unease Kuko is suddenly filled with after seeing Jyushi cry like that.

Ichiro hands him a cola from the vending machine, and Kuko can actually enjoy it like they did back in the day. But after letting the carbonated drink slide down his throat, he’s left with the big questions. 

“Alright, spill Ichiro. What the hell happened here?”

Ichiro takes a collected breath before looking out to the far distance. “Jiro… got in a car accident.”

And that answers the large question for Kuko. 

“.. how?”

Ichiro shakes his head. “Eyewitnesses say it was a hit and run. The driver lost control of his car and hit Jiro right when he was done crossing the street. The injuries aren’t bad, but he isn’t waking up. And Jyushi thinks it’s his fault all this happened.”

Kuko sighs as he looks out into the distance with Ichiro. “... that guy puts too much blame on himself.”

Ichiro nods. “I know. Ever since he’s woken up, he’s been blaming himself for all of this. You collapsing, Jiro getting into an accident… all of it.”

Kuko looks at Ichiro. “What… Jyushi collapsed too?”

Ichiro nods slowly. “He… collapsed soon after Jiro’s accident. And their stats matched each other’s funnily enough. Nobody understands it. Doctors, Jyushi himself… all we seem to understand though is the fact that Jyushi can tell whether or not Jiro is getting better.”

“How?”

Ichiro lifts his left pinky finger. “Fate, funnily enough.”

Ichiro explains to Kuko what Jyushi has discovered. Hitoya’s arrival and sudden demand to know everything scared Jyushi, but he tells everything he understands. And Saburo also pitches in with his observations, serving as a liaison between Amanda and those who cannot hear them. It’s simply mind boggling to know Jyushi’s stuffed pig can actually talk for one, but for Jiro and Jyushi’s lives to be swayed and affected by something called fate?

“Does Jyushi know what to do to get ya kid brother to wake up?”

Ichiro shakes his head. “He doesn’t know. All he knows is that the thread that connects him to Jiro is frayed and dark. And he worries that the state of this thread is also an indicator of whether or not Jiro will wake up.”

Kuko looks at Ichiro’s trembling form for a long moment before setting aside his cola can and holding his arms out. Ichiro is momentarily confused before Kuko jerks his head as an indicator for Ichiro to come his way. “You’ve been trying to stay strong for ya other brother. We haven’t been together for two freakin’ years, and I still know that ya don’t like to be weak in front of them. Talk about a bad habit, but that’s why I’m here for ya.”

Ichiro looks at him for a long moment before setting aside his own cola can and hugging Kuko long and tight. Kuko momentarily curses Ichiro’s growth spurt in the two years they haven’t been together, but still runs his hand through Ichiro’s hair as he did in the past. “There, there. You’ll always be able to cry on my shoulder when ya need to.”

Ichrio’s embrace only tightens around Kuko’s waist as he sobs. “This wasn’t what today was supposed to be… Jyushi shouldn’t be crying in a freaking hospital for Jiro. Jiro shouldn’t be on the verge of death over an apology. It would’ve been better if it was me…!”

Kuko continues to stroke Ichiro’s hair comfortingly. “Don’t say that crap, Ichiro. Nobody deserves ta be in the goddam hospital. Your kid brother should be okay. You can only have the belief that he is okay. Patients can feel the bad vibes from us too, ya know. If all your kid brother feels are our bad vibes, then how the hell will he be confident enough to open his eyes?”

Ichiro’s sobs slowly dry up and his hold on Kuko eases up slowly. When Kuko gets a look at his face, he laughs affectionately at how utterly wrecked Ichiro looks right now. Regardless, he plays with the hem of his jacket sleeve to rub away the tears. After Ichiro wipes away the rest of his tears with his sleeve, the two look at each other.

Ichiro gently caresses Kuko’s cheek and the two just look at each other for a long moment. “I missed you, Kuko. All this… your support… I really missed all this.”

Kuko lets out a huff of resignation as he’s forced to eternally look up to look at Ichiro. “You probably missed a lot more. But I agree. I missed this. I’m sorry I had left you when you needed me too.”

Ichiro gently shakes his head. “It wasn’t you leaving me, Kuko. It was the hypnosis forcing you away from me. And now that the hypnosis has been broken… we don’t have to worry about anything else.”

“But still…” Kuko trails off when Ichiro’s gaze softens. “If you say any other nonsense, I’ll have to kiss you.”

Kuko grabs a fistful of Ichiro’s white hoodie with a toothy grin. “Oh yeah? Barely been back together for a few hours and you’re begging for a kiss?”

Ichiro falters at the sudden comeback. “B-But… we’re just starting from where we left off, right…?”

Kuko laughs at the way Ichiro panics slightly. “I’m just jokin’ with ya, Ichiro. I’ll always be there for ya whenever you need me. Like now.”

Their kiss was as soft as their first one on the riverbank in Ikebukuro. And from the way Ichiro continuously holds on to Kuko, Kuko figures they’re gonna be here a while. But if it chases away Ichiro’s worry of Jiro’s state, even a little bit… he doesn’t mind one bit.

Jyushi continues sobbing as he sees the rapid fluctuations of the thread. “Amanda, it’s so dark! I… I don’t know what to do…!!!”

Amanda wraps their stuffed appendages around him in some way possible. “Don’t cry, Jyushi. We don’t know what makes the thread react, but maybe it’s reacting so badly because Jyushi is crying.”

“We heard from the doctors that the injuries aren’t that bad, Jyushi. All that idiot needs to do is wake up.” Saburo tries to keep up the stronger front, but even Saburo himself is tearing up here and there. 

Jyushi continues sobbing. “But-!!”

Hitoya sighs. “But nothing, Jyushi. Your boyfriend wouldn’t want to see you crying all the time right? If he’s constantly worried about you, how is he gonna want to wake up?”

Jyushi looks up to Hitoya with his tears coming to a standstill. “Hitoya-san…”

Hitoya flashes an awkward grin. “Someone should always wake up to their lover’s smiles. So try smiling for him, why don’t you?”

Jyushi looks down to Amanda, who nods. “Saburo told me what would’ve happened if Jiro didn’t get into the accident too. It would be easier for Jiro to apologize to you if you’re there with a smile on your face, don’t you think?”

Jyushi sniffs as he picks Amanda up with both of his hands. “But Jiro has nothing to apologize for. I should be the one apologizing to Jiro…”

“Ah, about Ichi-nii and Harai Kuko? But that got cleared up, so there’s nothing you have to apologize for.” Saburo nods assuringly to Jyushi.  “Once Jiro-nii sees Ichi-nii together with Harai Kuko… he’ll probably get it.”

Jyushi looks at everyone for a long moment before dabbing his tears away with his sleeve. “O-Okay then. I’ll try… for Jiro.”

Hitoya nods approvingly. “There. That’s better.”

Ichiro and Kuko come back inside with smiles on their faces. “It feels nice outside! Let’s go and get something to eat, huh?! And I need to hear more of this! Your stuffed pig can talk, Jyushi?!” Kuko grabs Jyushi’s hands and hauls him up from the chair before dragging him out of the hospital. Jyushi frantically tries to keep pace with Kuko’s fast strides. “Wait- Kuko-san!!!”

Hitoya sighs as Kuko comes in like a storm and changes the flow of everything. But Jyushi isn’t crying because of Jiro’s state now, instead crying to get Kuko to stop dragging him so suddenly. Saburo looks down at the tangled mess of invisible red string on the white floor and smiles a little.

The dark string was lightening up, just a little. 

Perhaps Jiro can feel them.

The days pass slowly for Jyushi. There are nights where he can’t sleep in his apartment, Jiro’s presence in the scattered clothes on the floor and the accompaniment of blue in Jyushi’s aesthetic blacks and reds making Jiro’s current state all the more apparent. 

Jyushi tries making music, but nothing comes out right. He tries to meet up with his band, but Jiro’s missing spot next to him makes it unbearable sometimes, and he just crumbles apart.

Jyushi finds it hard eating and generally taking care of himself when the worry eats at him. Amanda tries to keep Jyushi focused on other things, but Jyushi ends up crying anyways. 

Sometimes, Kuko hauls him out of his apartment to stay at the temple for the night. Sometimes, Jyushi goes over to the temple himself to spend the night. Ichiro and Saburo have been staying at Kuko’s place for the time Jiro’s in the hospital, and Ichiro keeps himself busy by doing some odd jobs for the people in town. Jyushi realizes then that he also needs to keep himself busy so then he doesn’t worry about Jiro, or cry himself to sleep. Despite the pain in his heart though, he comes to visit Jiro every day, and somehow, Jiro still looks like he’s peacefully asleep.

But instead of crying about how Jiro is still asleep in front of him, he tries to stay strong for Jiro. He tells Jiro stories of things he did with his band, or with Kuko and Hitoya. Sometimes they’re true. Sometimes, they’re lies. But Jyushi thinks that if they're stories that Jiro can hear, it will get him to wake up. Amanda stays with him the entire time and pitches in with their own stories, usually the funnier ones to get Jyushi to laugh instead of cry. But no matter what happens, Jiro still remains asleep. 

But Jyushi sees their string is brightening up, little by little. Even if it doesn’t seem all that promising, Amanda takes every new development as good, and makes Jyushi see the same things as they do. Jyushi does after about a week of steady progression, and the weight in his heart lifts, even if just a little.

It gets easier to tell Jiro stories, because he does end up doing more things. He starts cooking his own foods again, learning all sorts of tips from Ichiro when they all stay at his apartment for the day. He documents explorations he went on with Kuko and Ichiro, finding their relationship awkward, yet smooth as if no time passed from the last time they held hands. Saburo tells him stories of Jiro’s past, the sides that Jiro may not have remembered correctly like the fact Jiro completely missed a shot one time when he was playing with friends and somehow flung himself backwards. He shows Jyushi an old photo of Jiro’s mud streaked face as his legs were sticking straight up towards the sky, and Jyushi has to stifle a laugh. 

But no matter what happens, he keeps pushing forward with the belief that Jiro will be ready to wake up soon enough.

“Jiro must have a lot of things to think about. I don’t want you to take too long though…” Jyushi leans over and presses a warm kiss to Jiro’s temple. “I want to see your beautiful eyes again, Jiro… But I have to go now. I’m always there with you, Jiro my love.”

While Jyushi didn’t exactly have any plans, he felt like if he stayed there any longer, he’d start blaming himself for his partner’s situation. And all he wanted was for Jiro to wake up. And somehow, maybe he’d find an answer to a question that’s vaguely passed through his head every once in awhile. 

Luckily for him, he gets a call from Takeru as he steps out of the hospital.

“Why are we here in a karaoke bar?” Jyushi asks warily, hands bunching in front of him. 

“Why else would we be here? We’re here to sing and have fun!” Takeru exclaims. 

Jun jabs the bright bassist with a sigh. “It’s not just that, Jyushi. We figured that you would need an outlet for your emotions, and you express them the most through your singing.”

Keisuke passes the tablet to Jyushi with a small smile. “Let everything out here, Jyushi. So then you can actually face Jiro with the smile you know you want to show him.”

Jyushi looks at all of his friends for a long moment before slowly taking the tablet and looking through the catalogue for songs to sing.

Everyone fully expected Jyushi to sing their own songs, or general visual kei songs they grew up with. But instead, Jyushi chose the emotional songs, the ones that fully expressed his feelings as of now.

Jyushi’s tears come out in a never ending stream as he pours his entire heart to the songs and lets out all the pain he’s kept bottled up inside. 

Lyrics of the ability to turn back time, to say sorry, to just express how much love there is in this heart…. the pain comes out and exposes the raw emotions Jyushi feels. 

Clothes scattered on the floor, precious pieces of memories as Jiro’s scent still hangs in the air… everyone can somewhat imagine what Jyushi is feeling.

“It must… be hard to live in that apartment right now…” Takeru looks down sheepishly. “And to think the last time we saw Jiro-tan we were making fun of him and Jyushi because they’re young lovebirds embarrassed over some sexual tension…”

“At this point, things like that don’t matter to Jyushi. And it shouldn’t have bothered them in the first place. They were fine as they were….” Keisuke sighs. “It just hurts knowing the last things we said to Jiro before he landed in the hospital are things like that. Trivial matters….”

Jun nods slowly. “We know Jiro and Jyushi have their own way of doing things. They have something that’s changed both of their lives in one way or another. Just because we assume things about relationships doesn’t mean it needs to happen.”

The three continue to look up as Jyushi cries his heart out while singing song after song.

“... What they have… is unique only to them.” Keisuke says softly.

“I think this is more us learning that fact, rather than Jyushi himself realizing it.” Takeru says back. 

“But I think Jyushi might have found an answer he was looking for.” Jun says with a small smile.

The two look at him. “What do you mean?”

Jun only smiles deceptively as a wave of bright red string passes in front of his eyes. “I mean… I think Jyushi knows what he wants his relationship with Jiro to be.”

The two can only look at each other and shrug.

Their time at the karaoke room comes to its end and Jyushi wipes his tears away heavily. 

“So… do you feel any better?” Keisuke asks. 

Jyushi takes a deep breath and manages to smile. “Yeah… I… I think I am…”

“That’s good. Jiro-tan wouldn’t want to see you crying anyways.” Takeru hugs Jyushi tight. 

Jyushi accepts the hug with another smile. “Thank you for this, everyone.”

Jun waves it off. “As long as you’ve found your answer… I think that it will be enough.”

Jyushi tilts his head questioningly and then Jun vaguely makes a gesture with his pinky finger. 

And Jyushi is overjoyed at the sight of the bright red thread pulsing brightly as it should have.

“Amanda… this is a good thing, right?”

Amanda examines all aspects of the red thread and jumps excitedly. “It isn’t frayed! That should be a good thing!”

Jyushi walks around his apartment nervously as he continues pondering. “But…. Ichiro-san hasn’t said anything about Jiro waking up…”

Amanda lands on top of Jyushi’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Jyushi. It might take Jiro a little more time than we thought for him to wake up. But I think it’s okay… just look at the way it’s pulsating.”

Jyushi looks at the red thread again and Amanda nods. “It hasn’t pulsated like this in a very long time….”

“Does it mean something, Amanda?”

Amanda nods. “I don’t know if it’s for certain… but I think it’s a way that shows you both love each other.”

Jyushi cradles a small length of red string in his hands and smiles warmly. “Jiro… loves me.”

“Isn’t it obvious? Just how many times does Ichiro and Saburo have to tell ya that, Jyushi?” Jyushi jumps at the sound of Kuko’s voice and he’s flashing one of those smiles that would normally worry Jyushi. But right now, it’s just the thing he needs to feel somewhat at peace.

“Kuko-san…! Is there something wrong with Ichiro-san and Saburo-kun?”

Kuko shakes his head and stomps his way towards Jyushi to drag him out of the apartment. “No, but we want you to come out!”

“Eh?!” Jyushi gets dragged out of his apartment by Kuko. “Just shut up and wait a bit.”

Jyushi shuts his mouth in an automatic response to Kuko’s demands and lets himself get dragged out of his apartment complex. When he gets out of the apartment complex, Kuko throws him towards Hitoya, who’s waiting for him on top of his motorcycle. Jyushi is utterly confused and turns back to Kuko, who reaches inside his jacket pocket and pulls out a red rose.

Jyushi furrows his eyebrows as he gingerly takes the rose and looks at both Kuko and Hitoya with a confused expression. “Time’s awastin’ Jyushi!” Kuko yells and Jyushi jumps as Hitoya revs his engine. 

“I can’t believe you kids managed to rope me into this…. but I guess it isn’t bad every once in a while. Get on Jyushi. You need to get somewhere, and fast.”

Jyushi hurriedly puts on the helmet and gets on behind Hitoya. “Just what’s going on, Kuko-san?!”

Kuko sticks his tongue out. “I’m not tellin’ ya! Now go!!”

Hitoya speeds down the street and Jyushi holds on to the elder tight. “Hold on, Amanda!!”

“Like that’s easy for you to say…! Remind me to never leave the safety of your bag when we’re out!” Amanda yells as they hold on to both Jyushi and the red rose.

The crazy trip lasts a mind turning fifteen minutes and Jyushi finds himself at the jewelry store he placed his order with. “Eh… It isn’t ready though?”

Hitoya snorts. “It’s already been ready for a few days, Jyushi. You just forgot to check your email.”

Jyushi blinks. “Eh?! How did you know-”

“That much is simple for me.” Saburo says and Jyushi is completely lost at this point. He takes off the helmet and almost loses his balance when Saburo drags him off the motorcycle. Hitoya reaches inside his jacket and gives Jyushi another red rose. 

“I gotta go and pick up our loudmouth leader. I’ll see you guys later.”

Saburo waves, and Jyushi is simply too lost to even think about waving goodbye.

Jyushi walks inside the store and the same lady that helped him out last time produces a small box. “I hope this has come out to your liking.”

Jyushi looks at the rings and can’t help but smile. “It’s… perfect.”

“So, is that a couple ring, or is it an engagement ring?” Saburo asks. 

Jyushi jumps at the question. “You’re like Amanda, Saburo-kun!”

Saburo shrugs. “It’s a simple question… but I assume you finally found an answer to that question in this past week.”

Jyushi looks down at the rings for a long moment. 

“... Would it be okay if I asked for your brother’s hand in marriage, Saburo-kun?”

The smile that spreads on Saburo’s face is all the answer he needs.

Saburo drags Jyushi down the street. “My brother may be a brainless dolt most of the time, but I’ve never seen him as happy as he has been with you by his side. While I don’t understand the logistics behind something like love… I do understand the profound effect love has on someone when they love someone, and receive love back.”

Saburo stops at the crosswalk and looks up to Jyushi with a small smile. “And I think you’ll be the only one that can make Jiro-nii smile like that, Jyushi.”

Another red rose is brought out, and Jyushi looks at the small bouquet he has collected in his hands. The light changes and Jyushi looks up to see Ichiro running towards him. “I-Ichiro-san!!”

“Yo, Jyushi! Are you ready!”

With a gentle push, Jyushi is brought closer to Ichiro and he continues running towards him. “Ready for what, exactly! I don’t know what’s going on at all!”

The hearty laugh makes Jyushi’s defenses relax a little, but then he can’t relax when Ichiro grabs his free hand and makes them run down the streets of Nagoya. Jyushi can’t quite catch his breath until they stop at the front of the hospital. “The hospital… So Jiro is…!”

Ichiro only smiles deceptively. “Sorry about this Jyushi, but you’re gonna have to close your eyes for a little bit.” Jyushi nervously does just that, and he’s guided through the area of the hospital thanks to Ichiro’s firm grasp. The automatic doors slide open, and Jyushi can hear a fountain. He continues walking until Ichiro says to stop, and when he does, he feels another flower stem slide into his grasp.

“Whatever happens, Jyushi… you’ll always be welcomed into the family.”

Jyushi takes a long time to try to process that statement until he hears another sound come from behind him. 

“Man… how long has it been since I’ve seen you like this, Jyushi.”

Tears well in Jyushi’s eyes as he turns around to see Jiro in a wheelchair, but with the largest smile on his face.

“Hey Jyushi…”

“Jiro…!!!”

Jyushi falls to his knees as all the strength leaves his legs. His hand touches Jiro’s gingerly. “You’re actually awake, right? You’re not just a figment of my imagination?”

Jiro laughs softly as he takes Jyushi’s hand into both of his own. “I’m actually awake, Jyushi. Sorry it took me a little bit. I guess I needed time to gather my courage…”

Jyushi shakes his head as the tears tumble down. “Don’t be sorry for that. I’m just thankful that Jiro is awake.” His watery smile is impossibly bright as he squeezes his connection with Jiro.

The sight makes Jiro grin. “Now that’s the smile I’ve wanted to see since I’ve gotten up.” His gentle touch relaxes Jyushi, and another sob escapes his lips as he pulls his hands away to envelop Jiro in a tight hug as best as he can.

“Oh Jiro! I’m- I’m so sorry!”

Jiro gently runs his hand not connected to the IV through Jyushi’s hair. “There’s nothing to be sorry about, Jyushi. I’ve heard the gist from Nii-chan and Harai Kuko themselves. There’s no way you would’ve known Nii-chan and Harai Kuko were exes… well they’re not really now that they’re back together? Wha- well, you get it.”

Jyushi can’t help but softly laugh at that response, even if his warm tears continue to land on top of Jiro’s shoulder.

“And you have nothing to apologize about in regards to being part of a rap group, Jyushi. You probably had to confront a lot of your fears to get to the point where you wanted us to meet. And what makes me even happier is that you still tried to get us to meet. My boyfriend doing his absolute best, never giving up… I’m so proud of you Jyushi.”

Jyushi’s sobs slow to a stop. “S-So you’re not angry?”

“Why should I be angry about that? Now that I’ve taken a step back to actually reflect on my actions… I just needed time to get my head around the fact my super talented boyfriend is gonna add one more thing to the things he does well. If there’s one thing I know about taking up the hypnosis mic, it’s that it shows your weaknesses and strengths the most. And if Jyushi wants to confront his fears and make himself stronger… who am I to stop him?”

Jyushi’s grip on Jiro slackens a little bit as he looks at his boyfriend with wide eyes.

Jiro’s sheepish smile comes out as he fishes for a partially flattened red rose and presents it to Jyushi. “Will you accept my apology for not hearing you out beforehand, and give me a second chance?”

Jyushi takes the red rose gingerly and brings the small bouquet to his chest. “No apology is necessary, Jiro. But I should also offer my own apology for not telling you these things sooner. I never wanted to make it seem like I’m hiding this from Jiro. But I couldn’t just gather the courage to flat out say that Bad Ass Temple was going to be my rap group… the place where I can strengthen myself so I can support my cool and reliable boyfriend.”

Jiro reaches out to push a stray lock of Jyushi’s bangs behind his ear with a gentle smile. “There’s nothing to be sorry about, Jyushi. It wasn’t your fault for waiting for the right moment. And it wasn’t like you were hiding it completely… although why you thought I wouldn’t like it… I’m kinda still confused about that.”

Amanda jumps up on Jiro’s lap. “Should I explain then?”

Jiro and Jyushi look at the stuffed pig with a small smile. “Please do, Amanda… you’ll probably be able to get Jiro to understand the things in my head.” Jyushi says softly.

Jyushi then gets up to push Jiro towards another section of the hospital, and Amanda tells Jiro all the things Jyushi might have wanted to say. “Jiro being part of Buster Bros!!! was always something that made Jyushi feel proud. Somehow, knowing that Jiro was strong in body and in mind made that feeling intensify. But it also made Jyushi feel like he was incompetent to a degree. He’s noticed how over the months he cries less, and that your relationship with him has indeed strengthened him to a degree, but he realized how it isn’t enough.”

Amanda turns around to face Jiro with the same smile on their face… but somehow still shimmering in its own dazzling way. “Jyushi wanted to try being part of a rap group because… maybe by having the experience of rap battles, he’d get stronger. Strong enough for Jiro to rely on him if the time ever came. He wanted Jiro to feel confident about relying on him. He may not be able to do much, even though he’s older… but that’s the least he wanted to do, because Jiro has already done so much for him. But he didn’t want you to think you didn’t matter if he was a part of a rap group. He wanted to make it known that you are the reason he made that decision to go and join a rap group, but didn’t exactly know how to phrase it in the right way.”

Jyushi sits down on the bench next to Jiro. “It just so happened Kuko-san got a formal invitation from Chuohku to participate in the second division rap battle. And while he knew it was something he couldn’t turn down even if he wanted to, he needed to look for some people. Hitoya-san is a lawyer that saved both Kuko-san and myself in the past, and that’s how we all got together in a strange way. I was looking for ways to get stronger, and Hitoya-san knew of Kuko-san’s training methods, which also turned into an invitation to join his rap group.”

“Which turned into Bad Ass Temple, I guess.” Jiro laughs softly.

“Hey! It’s a nice name!” Jyushi clenches his fists and shows Jiro his determined face. Jiro waves his hand.  “I know it is! But somehow I just can’t imagine you of all people saying something like badass.”

“What makes you say that?” Jyushi asks. Jiro flushes a light pink. “W-Well… call it stupid but I just can’t imagine you saying crap like that. Like you’re too good to say vulgar? Things like that. But I guess that’s a thing to look at as well.”

Jiro locks eyes with Jyushi and his smile widens. “It’s also a testament to how strong you guys are. I’m hoping I’ll get to see Bad Ass Temple in the final round.”

Jyushi’s gaze sharpens. “You’ll see the glory of Bad Ass Temple grace the protected city of Chuohku, dearest Knight.”

Jiro brings his fist to Jyushi. “Now that’s what I like to hear.”

Jyushi blinks at the gesture in surprise before he presses his fist to Jiro’s before Jiro stretches out his hand to hold Jyushi’s once more.

“So… since it’s nice out, why don’t you serenade me with some stories of what’s happened while I’ve been asleep?”

Jyushi runs his thumb over Jiro’s knuckles and smiles. “Well… Have you heard about Kuko-san and Ichiro-san getting back together?”

Jiro laughs awkwardly. “More like… I saw them acting like a mushy couple when I woke up. They refuse to tell me what their thing is though.”

“How mushy can it be? Kuko-san says it’s natural for them. And I have learned from being with Jiro that everything is alright in the face of love.”

Jiro laughs. “Fair enough. But you don’t sit on top of my lap like Harai Kuko does with Nii-chan.”

“Why? Do you want me to?” Jyushi blinks questioningly. Jiro blushes. “... maybe later.”

And the afternoon was wasted away on conversations of what had transpired while Jiro was sleeping. Jyushi clarified a lot of his innermost feelings to Jiro, and Jiro did the same in response. Their affirmation of feelings and drive to properly try to convey their thoughts make their string glow brighter, and Amanda just spends the hours looking at the bright tangled mess linked between their hands as it brightly portrays their love for each other. When it got dark and Jiro’s stomach protested, Jyushi brings Jiro back into the hospital. When they get to Jiro’s room, it’s filled with his brothers, the rest of Bad Ass Temple, and Argo Kishii Gakudan. The nurse doesn’t seem all that pleased that Jiro has this much company, but allows them to stay as long as they don’t force Jiro past his limits.

Jiro’s mediocre hospital meal is replaced with Ichiro’s handmade bento, and the drone of television gets replaced with lively chatter as everyone says something to fill in the air. Jyushi gets stuck with sitting on the bed next to Jiro since all the space was taken up, but Jiro doesn’t mind in the slightest, in fact pulling Jyushi even closer (or as close as he can considering the IV and other monitoring items connected to his body) to everyone’s happiness or begrudgement. When it’s time to leave, Jyushi is about to follow, until Jiro’s grasp on his wrist holds him back.

Saburo gives Jyushi a knowing look and he awkwardly ruffles Jiro’s hair. “The nurses will probably get mad at you for keeping a visitor here.”

Jiro shrugs. “They can’t say anything if it’s for my betterment, right?”

Hitoya snorts. “Kids these days…”

“It ain’t a bad thing, Hitoya!” Kuko loudly laughs, only to be subtly quieted by Ichiro. 

“We’ll come back tomorrow, Jiro.” Ichiro waves and everyone else waves in one way or another. “When you get better, we should go to the amusement park to celebrate Jiro-tan’s recovery!” Takeru chirps.

“You idiot. They already had an amusement park date at Ikebukuro.” Keisuke sharply says.

“But it is matsuri season. Maybe Jiro can visit one before going back to Ikebukuro.” Jun says. 

“Oh, matsuri! That sounds like fun!” Ichiro says enthusiastically.

“Ah that’s right… you haven’t been to ones here, have ya.” Kuko sighs. “There should be a couple around in the next week or so?”

“Oh really? I guess we’re gonna have to intrude a little longer, Kuko.”

The conversation fades away and Jyushi turns to look at Jiro.

“Is there something wrong, Jiro?”

Gently, Jiro pulls Jyushi forward until he’s lying on top of the bed once again. The two gaze lovingly at one another for a long moment as Jiro plays with their linked hands some more. “I just wanted to stay with you a little longer…”

Jyushi softly smiles. “Just how long do you want me to stay?”

Jiro makes a pondering face. “Well… the entire night?”

Amanda snorts at this. “The nurse will probably kick Jyushi out before you get a chance to keep Jyushi here!”

Jiro sticks his tongue out. “Don’t ruin all my dreams, stupid Amanda!”

Amanda tilts their head almost mockingly. “I’m just telling you how it is, Jiro! Don’t come crying to me if you get separated from Jyushi!”

Jyushi laughs at the playful banter between the two. “Now now, let’s do this then. Why don’t I stay here until the nurse kicks me out. Maybe if we’re lucky, the nurse will let me stay here a little longer.”

Jiro sighs, but he ends up agreeing with Jyushi on that. And the time passes between them, their awkwardly placed kisses and touches of affection, their stories and their plans for the future.

A few days later, Jiro is free to go. He’s slow on his feet, but that was about it. There weren’t any disturbing things on his scans, and he was recovering quickly for someone who was in bed for about a week and a half. Ichiro meets Jiro and Jyushi outside after taking care of the process of discharging Jiro, and the group consisting of the Yamadas, Bad Ass Temple, and Argo Kishii Gakudan go to a revolving sushi bar to celebrate Jiro’s release from the hospital. 

Jyushi looks at Amanda, and then Saburo, and then Ichiro, and they all seem to have knowing discreet grins on their faces. Jyushi himself flushes at the implication, but there’s not much he can do besides smile sheepishly himself. The group goes inside the establishment, except for Jyushi. Jiro turns around questioningly, before Jyushi waves his phone. “I got to make a quick phone call… I’ll be there in a little bit.”

Jiro presses a chaste kiss to his lips with a smile. “Don’t take too long. Amaguni might not be willing to cover the bill if the others eat too much.”

With a knowing laugh, Jyushi nods before he walks a little bit away from the doors and looks at his contacts.

After looking at the contact for a long moment, he takes a deep breath.

“Why are you nervous, Jyushi?”

Jyushi shrugs. “It’s been awhile since I last talked to them. Maybe they won’t like what I have to say…”

Amanda shakes their head. “I don’t think that will be the case. I think they’ll be very happy to know that Jyushi has found someone that loves him, and he loves back. It was all they’ve ever wanted for you, you know. They’re just awkward in their way of expressing their love for you, since their work is too important to step away from.”

Jyushi nods. “... this is the first time I’ve actually talked to them about something important since the contract with the agency…”

“But even though they’re away from you, you’re still willing to tell them these important changes in your life.”

“Well of course I do. They’re my parents, after all.”

Amanda presses a comforting touch to Jyushi’s hand. “And that’s all you need, Jyushi. Since their precious son has something to say, they’ll at the very least hear you out.”

Taking a deep breath, Jyushi nods. “O-Okay then.”

He presses the call button on the contact and waits for the person on the other line to pick up.

“Hello? Jyushi is that you?”

A nervous smile spreads on his face. “Hey Mom…. It’s been awhile.”

“Hey my darling. How are things?”

Jyushi nervously tugs on a strand of hair. “Things are… good. I’ve found myself a lover… and I’m taking part in the Division Rap Battles.”

Jyushi’s mother gasps. “This… is important news alright. Lover aside, I thought you never wanted to have part in the Division Rap Battles?”

Jyushi nods. “I wouldn’t on a normal basis…. But it’s because of my lover. I… wanted to become stronger, so then he could rely on me.”

A moment of silence. “So… this boy. Is he in one of the Division Rap groups?”

Jyushi chuckles at the tone his mother makes. “Yeah. He’s a part of Ikebukuro Division’s Buster Bros!!! Have you heard of them?”

Jyushi’s mother laughs at that. “Have I heard of them, you ask. Of course I know them! You know, before Mama moved to Nagoya, I was born in Ikebukuro. I couldn’t help but support them. And they had this certain charm to them, you know?”

Jyushi laughs fondly at that animated response. “Of course I know. I’ve been with them enough to know that charm they have is infectious in its own right.”

“So, are you saying you’re going out with one of the brothers?! Who is it? Ichiro-kun? Jiro-kun? Do I dare… say Saburo-kun?”

“Ichiro-san is actually Kuko-san’s partner. I fortunately fell in love with Jiro. And Saburo-kun still lives by the words he said back then. But you know... There was drama over Ichiro-san and Kuko-san’s past recently, and we managed to get it all cleared up. And after all of that happened… with other things… it made me realize things…”

“... You realized something important?”

Jyushi nervously nods. “... I… I want to marry Jiro. Not like, now. But I want to at least tell Jiro these thoughts… since he has a right to know. I want to tell him these things especially now, since I’ve found out my life wouldn’t have changed to have this bright happy… future without him. A-And that if he isn’t there with me… nothing seems right anymore...”

Jyushi’s mother takes it all in for a long moment before deciding on something. “If Jiro-kun makes you this happy, he must have done a lot to change you.”

“He has…” Jyushi looks down at Amanda and strokes their head softly. “He’s accepted me for who I am. He’s even let me do his makeup and other things I’ve wanted to do. But most importantly, he’s… made me feel like I was alright being myself. That Mom and Dad were right, that the right people would come around and just accept me for being me…”

A discreet sniff. “Did you introduce him to your grandmother?”

Jyushi wipes his tears himself. “I have. He talked so affectionately to her… all he talked about were the good times we’ve had together. And he thanked her for making Amanda, whose kept me company while Mom and Dad make the world a better place.”

Jyushi’s mom laughs softly at that. “But it doesn’t change the fact… we’ve never been there for you when you needed someone to rely on. You’ve relied on yourself for the most part… your aunt and your uncle have said that much.”

“Being alone was alright with me. I didn’t want to bother anyone more than I thought I was… and… now I’ve found the man I want to rely on, and the one I want to support if he ever needs me.”

Another moment of silence. “I can tell you’ve been thinking a lot on this, Jyushi. While we can’t be there for you right this second, I think I can speak for both your father and myself. Your mom says, if Jiro-kun is the one that makes you feel like the world is a little bit brighter… if Jiro-kun is the one that truly takes everything you have and makes you feel like the most important person in the world… then you should tell him these thoughts. I trust in Jyushi’s decision to not marry right away, and that it will wait a little while until you two are a little older.”

Jyushi’s face brightens up a little. “So… um… is it okay if I…. propose…?”

Jyushi’s mom laughs affectionately at her son’s question. “You’ve never sounded this happy since the time you listened to visual kei for the first time. I’ll only say this. You can do what you like. But your father and I reserve the right to not approve of this marriage if at any time anything comes up.”

Jyushi’s smile is wide at this. “Nothing bad will happen… Not with Jiro. But I will agree to your terms.”

All of a sudden Jyushi hears a loud crashing noise. “WHAT?! Jyushi’s getting married?!”

Jyushi laughs at his father’s clumsy entrance. “Not yet!! I just want to take Jiro… to the engagement phase I guess?”

“Aha! Keeping him in the “he’s taken forever” zone, huh? I like that!!”

Jyushi flushes. “DAD!!”

Jyushi’s mother laughs at the response. “Now now. Just remember, Jyushi. We won’t agree to this if anything bad happens later. But for now, we have to go. Call us later and tell us how you managed to snag one of the nice boys in Ikebukuro Division, okay? Bye!”

Jyushi’s mom yelps as more things crash to the floor and the call gets dropped.

Amanda stares at Jyushi for a long moment. “... Somehow, I’m reminded of our second conversation with Ichiro….”

Jyushi looks at his phone for a long moment. “Right…?”

Amanda shrugs. “Well, at least it’s proof that Jyushi is like his parents, right?”

“If that’s a good thing… I guess so…”

“It is! It just reminds me… they love you, Jyushi. And you’ll probably have to spend a few sleepless nights telling them all that’s gone on, but it’s worth it, right?”

Jyushi takes the information with a nod and a smile. “... So then… they can see all the great things that I can see. About Jiro… and about all this that has happened.”

Amanda jumps excitedly. “Exactly! So… are you gonna propose tonight?!”

Jyushi blushes. “Shouldn’t I wait a little more?!”

Amanda snickers. “Not with the way Ichiro and Saburo are looking at you. It’s practically a miracle Jiro doesn’t see it!”

Jyushi smiles at that before looking at Amanda again. “Wait… when did you start dropping formalities with them?”

Amanda tilts their head before shrugging again. “”Who knows?! I think it’s because.. they’re family. And they’re gonna be literal family in the future. So I guess I changed how I address them…”

Jyushi laughs affectionately. “Only for those who love me, huh?”

Amanda nods. “Only for those who love Jyushi.”

The chaos of the afternoon’s revolving sushi bar fiasco melded into pure excitement for the matsuri that was going on. Hitoya sighs about the fact he was more or less coerced into footing the bill for all these youngsters, and Jyushi, Ichiro, and Saburo apologize for the trouble to some extent. Jiro and Kuko just take the gracious food as it is and eat all they can. 

But Hitoya’s graciousness ended there. He looks to all the people over the age of 20, or the rest of Argo Kishii Gakudan and makes them foot their own bill. Takeru sighs, but they all agree to do that. As the hours passed, Hitoya ends up sticking with the annoying brats for a little longer, finding their company half decent… or so he says.

Kuko is keeping Hitoya there over a simple speculation.

“I think Jyushi’s gonna propose tonight!” Kuko whispers and Ichiro gently nudges him with a groan. “Don’t say that, Kuko. We don’t know if Jyushi will propose.”

Kuko turns to give Ichiro a knowing smirk. “But you want it to happen, don’t cha, Ichiro?”

Saburo crosses his arms. “Isn’t it the most logical option? Their lives are literally intertwined to a degree. It’s a case of not being able to live without each other, in a literal sense. So it only makes sense that they get married.”

Hitoya looks back and forth between the teenagers and sighs. “Wait… they’ve only been going out for literally a few months. How can you guys be okay with this?”

Kuko simply points to the two in the front of the group, hands linked tightly and the glowing smiles brightening up everything around them. “Because… if that isn’t love, I don’t know what the hell is anymore.”

Hitoya simply shrugs. “I guess I’m just too old for this crap. Back in the day, dating for longer than a few months seemed like the normal thing to do before considering marriage.”

Kuko scoffs. “Hah! As if! Back in the day, it was natural for people to get married without even knowing anything about each other!”

Hitoya grunts. “Sure. A few hundred years ago that was the truth. But what happened to the past decade?”

Saburo shrugs. “They’re an exception. I mean, their first date they had their second kiss, and spent the entire night divulging everything about each other to an extent. A few months later, they pretty much know everything each other has to their history. The final piece… was Jyushi’s relationship with you two, and joining Bad Ass Temple.”

“And… Jyushi isn’t the only one that has been changed by Jiro. Jiro himself has changed, without even realizing it…” Ichiro adds, as he looks at the couple as they look at something in one of the shop displays and laugh at something Amanda probably said. 

 Hitoya takes the sight in for a long moment before something slips out accidentally. 

“They’re like a family.”

Ichiro, Saburo, and Kuko all stop in their tracks. 

The members of Argo Kishii Gakudan also stop walking as well. “That’s it! That was what I was thinking!” Takeru whisper yells. The yell goes unnoticed by Jiro and Jyushi as they continue walking down the street towards the matsuri.

“With Amanda, they’re like a family! One of those families that say they’re okay wherever they are, because they really are?”

Keisuke snorts. “What are you trying to describe, Takeru?”

“Exactly that, Keisuke.” Jun supplies. “ They’re happy as they are. Technically, they probably don’t even need a formal ceremony such as marriage to tie them as one. But Jyushi probably wants to do that for them both… so at the very least they can look down at their rings and be reminded of the fact they have someone that loves them undoubtedly.”

Everyone stays quiet for a little while before continuing to walk down the street.

Jiro looks at the lively atmosphere of the matsuri with a huge grin. “Man, it's been a little while since I’ve been to a matsuri like this!”

Jyushi makes a hum of agreement. “It’s been a few years since I’ve been to one myself.”

“Because of the crowds?” Jiro asks as he gently tugs Jyushi towards the various food stalls. “Crowds are one thing… plus I never felt the need to… enjoy myself here.” Jyushi points to one of the takoyaki stalls. “Oh look Jiro. Takoyaki!”

Jiro grins as he grabs an order of takoyaki. The two end up sliding down all the food stalls and picking up the variety of foods for the both of them. They return to the others with big sheepish smiles, arms filled with the food from the matsuri, but they were beat out by someone else in terms of amount of food.

Takeru happily eats his mini mountain of snacks with a big smile, and Jun video calls his twin to show him the sights of the matsuri while he’s at their apartment working on another song. Keisuke pokes at Takeru’s full cheeks teasingly, and almost gets stabbed with a toothpick in response.

Ichiro has a small variety of plush prizes from his expedition at the game stalls, and gives Kuko the largest bear without much to say about it. Kuko almost chokes on his own takoyaki in response to the bear, but he ends up taking it with a slight blush and a dazzling grin.

Jiro leans against Jyushi as he sees the two chat away and hug like nothing bad happened between them. “It really is a relief to see that Kuko and Nii-chan don’t hate each other.”

Jyushi nods with a relieved smile. “You know… Kuko-san didn’t understand why he was compelled to hate Ichiro-san. Even if we know it was because of the influence of the hypnosis mic…. it doesn’t really give us any reasoning behind it. But… they’re happy.”

Jiro nods. “They’re happy. That’s all that matters.”

“And I’m happy.” Jyushi follows up.

Jiro turns to look at Jyushi with his big smile reflected in his bright blue eyes. Jiro’s grin spreads tenfold at the sight. “Same here.”

“Oh! The fireworks! The fireworks are gonna start soon! We need to find a good spot!” Takeru jumps with his massive collection of food and rushes down the street towards the green fields where the fireworks would be easily seen.

“Oi! Don’t run with all that food, stupid Take-chan!!” Keisuke runs after him with a heavy sigh. Jun just shrugs and his twin laughs in response. 

“Fireworks, huh… lets go, Kuko.”

Ichiro takes Kuko’s hand and they walk down together at a leisurely pace. Saburo just then returns with a box that looks like a new expensive device for him to play with and Hitoya follows close behind with a sigh. “I’ve never seen a brat calculate the distance and angle necessary to win something. What happened to playing for the sake of winning?”

Saburo looks at his new box with pride. “It would be illogical to enjoy the game without calculating all possibilities necessary to win.”

Hitoya simply raises an eyebrow before sighing. “So, where are the other brats?”

Jiro and Jyushi point down the street. “They’re all getting ready to watch the fireworks. We’re gonna head down ourselves.”

Hitoya simply stuffs his hands in his pockets and trails behind as all the other teenagers walk towards the open fields. 

“Wow… you could seriously enjoy the entire show right here…” Jiro remarks and Jyushi pulls them up a little bit away from the rest of the people. Jiro doesn’t protest as Jyushi does this and waits until they’re a little bit away from the masses of people. 

“Do you want to … enjoy this in private?” Jiro teases and Jyushi laughs at the joke. “You could say that… Also I wanted to be able to say this without the pressure of everyone looking at us.”

Now this gets Jiro’s attention. “Is there something wrong, Jyushi?”

Jyushi runs his hands through Jiro’s hair gently. “No… nothing wrong like you think. It’s just… something important I realized while you were sleeping. And I felt like you should know these things so then I don’t…. regret anything. I don’t want to come across these realizations and keep them bottled inside me forever, so then something like what happened earlier can leave me with all these regrets. I’ve resolved to tell Jiro everything I’ve felt… so then he isn’t left in the dark. Even if it’s… scary. But I love Jiro with all my heart… and that means Jiro should know… all these feelings… I feel for him…”

Jyushi’s hands tremble and Jiro gently takes them in his own hands. “Don’t rush or anything, Jyushi. Take all the time you need…”

Jyushi takes deep breaths and looks right at Jiro’s dazzling eyes. In the distance, the first firework shoots into the air and everyone marvels at the sight except for them.

“There’s something that connects me to Jiro. Something that literally makes it so I can feel all the pain you’ve felt. And we’ve never realized it until you got into that accident… and I had collapsed.”

Jiro is alarmed at that statement. “Y-You collapsed?!”

Jyushi nods. “I collapsed. Soon after I read your messages. I woke up a few hours later, but I realized we were connected in more ways than we thought. Amanda talked about it to me, but even Amanda didn’t have the answers for our problem…” Jyushi looks down at their messily tangled threads between their fingers. “You probably can’t believe it… but there’s a thread that connects me to Jiro. It’s been connecting our hearts all these months we’ve spent apart… and it’s connected our pain as well.”

Jiro takes the information slowly and lets Jyushi continue as the fireworks ceremony continues.

“All this time Jiro has been asleep, I’ve been wondering if I should tell you this, or not. But I think I have to tell you this because I almost lost you, Jiro. I almost lost you… and I don’t want to live with this again. Without Jiro… my life will return to the bleak world it was, without love for anything that happens in the world. I don’t want to return to that world… when Jiro has shown me all the things that have made life bright and wonderful to live again.”

Jyushi gently removes his hands from Jiro’s grip and opens his bag. Amanda gives him something in the darkness and Jiro can only watch with wide eyes as Jyushi opens a box and presents it to him as the fireworks explode in the air. 

“I don’t want to live life without Jiro. I want to spend every day loving Jiro, and living that life we could have from the Life Game. I want Jiro to know how much he means to me, and that no matter what happens, I love him. I want Jiro to be the one I can confide in, and I want to be the one he can rely on whenever he needs me. I want to do all these things for Jiro, I-I can’t put it all into words, But they all mean the same thing?”

More fireworks ring into the air and Jyushi takes a shuddering breath. “Marry me, Jiro.”

Jiro is stunned for a long, long moment and Jyushi feels like he has to backpedal. “N-not right now obviously- You still need to finish high school, and there’s still a lot that needs to get clarified but-“

“Yes.”

Jyushi stops in his tracks and his eyes are wide as he looks back at Jiro. “E-Eh?”

Jiro’s grin is wide as his green and golden eyes reflect all the colors of the brightly lit sky. “Yes Jyushi. I’ll marry you. I honestly was gonna ask you too, but I didn’t have anything prepared, because I came to this realization when I woke up. The least I was gonna do was give you this flower ring, but it got all unraveled while we were out and about-“

Jyushi wraps Jiro in a warm embrace. “It doesn’t matter, Jiro. I’ll wear it!”

“But your ring is nicer…” Jiro laughs.

Amanda grabs both their shirts. “It doesn’t matter, Jiro. You tried to show your love too… and couldn’t quite do it because you were in the hospital. But no matter what…. Your love has reached Jyushi.”

Jiro wraps his arms around Jyushi and the two hug for a long moment. “Even if it sucked I got stuck in the hospital, I feel like it gave us things to reflect on… and that was good.”

Jyushi sniffs as he pulls away to look at Jiro. 

“I realized that a life without Jyushi isn’t life at all. What I’ve been living all these years was life for the sake of living. Just getting through this day to move on to the next. It was difficult… but more importantly, it was what shaped me until I met you. I never realized how much life there is out there, when I thought the life I had with my brothers was all the life I needed. But you, your wonderful smile, and your precious stuffed pig came crashing into what I thought was an every day I was comfortable living… and I was wrong.” Jiro digs into his pockets to look for the small flower ring and its various unraveled stems and tries to tie it all together. “You gave me a reason to move forward in my life, to look towards more things rather than supporting Nii-chan, even if that is what I wanna do most still. But I guess you gave me inspiration to become my own person… rather than just a little brother of Yamada Ichiro.”

Jyushi’s lip trembles as Jiro successfully manages to save his previously made flower ring and presents it to him with a sheepish smile. “If you’re okay with me… I want to be the one who gets to love you for as long as our time allows. Wait… even after… I wanna love you forever, Jyushi. I-Is that okay?”

Warm tears overflow as Jyushi accepts the flower ring and crushes Jiro into another hug.

“Yes, Jiro! Of course I’m okay with that!! Loving you- I don’t care what happens, and what we do, as long as I get to hold you like this and tell you I love you- I-It’s all I want.”

Jiro laughs warmly at the response. “Now, lemme see those rings of yours. I wanna wear mine so I can show everyone how I’m yours.”

“And I am yours, Jiro….” Jyushi gently wipes away his tears and presents the rings again. The fireworks ceremony is reaching its dramatic climax and Jiro can see the faint shadow of words engraved inside the ring.

“So your MC name is 14th Moon… huh?” Jiro looks at the unison of their MC names fondly and slides the ring on his finger. The perfect fit of the ring on his finger makes him smile some more.

“Yeah… it took awhile to figure it out… but I managed to do it. It was all thanks to Jiro though.” Jyushi smiles fondly as the ring shines beautifully on Jiro’s finger, and after a moment, Jyushi can’t help but chuckle. “Somehow, I think we’re doing all this proposal thing wrong…”

Amanda jumps out and holds them both close. “It doesn’t matter, Jyushi. As long as you two are happy, that’s all that matters… are you happy?”

Jyushi takes his own ring and slides it on his finger with a bright smile and overflowing tears. “Of course I’m happy. I’m so happy, I don’t know if I have the words to describe how I’m feeling!”

Jiro laughs affectionately at the response and presses their foreheads together. “I’m the same too, Jyushi…. nobody can take this feeling away from me though, that much I know.”

“As with me, Jiro…”

The two interlock hands and share the sweetest kiss underneath the moonlight. Even from a distance, their friends and family know that something major happened, and that nothing was going to change whatever it was that they feel for each other.

The Yamadas stay in Nagoya for a few more days before heading back home to Ikebukuro. After making sure that Jiro was okay, everyone was a little more willing to let Jiro go on the train home. The male himself though… was a bit less willing to go home. 

“I haven’t spent enough time here… it feels like…” Jiro takes in the sights and Jyushi gingerly picks up his hand. The hand that’s adorned with a brand new ring that shines just as brightly as all his other ones.

“Even if you think so, Jiro… you have to go back home. Your friends are probably worried sick about you…”

Jiro makes a face at that thought, until Saburo looks at him with a smug expression. “More than that though… Jiro isn’t trying to think about the summer homework that he has to finish up. Knowing my unintelligent brother, he hasn’t touched it yet.””

Jiro makes a sound faintly reminding people of a dying animal and Jyushi can only laugh fondly at the sight. “Well, even more of a reason to go back home, Jiro. If you ever need help though… you can call me.”

Jiro raises his eyebrows teasingly. “So, I can only call you if I’m struggling with my homework?”

A teasing smile. “You know, Jiro, say any more and people will get funny thoughts.”

Everyone looks at each other and promptly decides to not think about what else could be implied.

Jyushi pulls Jiro into a warm embrace for what seems like the last time this trip. “I will miss you though, Jiro…”

Jiro closes his eyes and just continues to feel Jyushi instead of thinking about everything else that comes with parting from each other. “I’ll miss you too, Jyushi.”

“Hey! I’ll miss you too, Jiro!!” Amanda jumps out of the bag and lands on Jiro’s shoulder clumsily. Jiro strokes Amanda’s head like normal with a fond smile. “I’ll miss you too, Amanda. Take care of Jyushi while I’m gone.”

“Of course I will, Jiro! Leave it to me!”

Jyushi takes the moment and snaps another memory of Jiro grinning at his closest friend.

As the two say their goodbyes, Ichiro and Kuko stand off to the side, also saying their own version of goodbye. Ichiro holds Kuko’s hands tight, as if he lets go, Kuko will be out of reach again. 

“What, ya scared of letting me go?” Kuko teases and Ichiro stiffens up for a second. 

“I feel like you could… leave me again. Even if it sounds weird, that’s how it feels.”

Ichiro stares at their interlocked hands for a long moment before Kuko tugs on their linkage for a second. “Ichiro. Look at me.”

Red and green eyes look at Kuko with uncertainty and worry, until Kuko is pressing a firm kiss to his lips. 

Ichiro blinks a couple times out of shock before Kuko’s wide grin spreads in his vision. “The thing is, Ichiro. I’m not alone like I was back then. I have my team with me. They won’t let anythin’ weird happen to me. So ya don’t have to worry ‘bout any of that shit that happened back then. When ya get back home to Ikebukuro, I’ll still be here, waiting to hear of your safe return. I’ll still be the me who ya fell in love with. The “Kuko” that ya brought back.”

As Ichiro hears this, he can’t help but smile at that. “As expected of Kuko. You always know what I need to hear.”

Kuko simply scoffs. “If I couldn’t say that much, what kinda boyfriend would I be?”

Ichiro laughs, and that in turn makes Kuko laugh himself. 

“Jiro-taaaaan! I’ll miss you!!” Takeru pulls Jiro into a bear hug and Jiro is shocked at the action. “O-Oh… I’ll miss you guys too. But it’s not like this will be the last time I come to Nagoya?”

“EH?!!!” Takeru jumps and Jun only sighs. “Isn’t it obvious, Takeru? They’ll go back and forth to visit each other when they can. So he’ll obviously come back.”

“Besides, we’re a freaking band, Take-chan. There’s a possibility we’ll go back out there for performances as well.” Keisuke follows up with. 

Takeru thinks about it for a long time before pulling Jiro into another hug. “Even so!! It will be lonely without you!!”

Jyushi looks at the sight fondly before pulling out the garment bag that Keisuke skillfully hid when they all met up.

“Jiro? I’d like you to do something for me…”

Jiro looks at Jyushi and Jyushi pulls out the Argo Kishii Gakudan jacket Jiro wore only a couple times. “We always seem to exchange something whenever we part… But I didn’t know what would be a good thing to exchange. So I thought perhaps… you could at the very least take this home with you.”

Jiro thinks about it for a moment before slipping off his blue and white striped jacket. He slides the jacket on and makes some minor adjustments before grinning. “So, does it look good?”

“Does it look good, he asks.” Saburo sighs and Hitoya can only smirk at the radiance that exudes from Jyushi. “Well, at least Jyushi likes it. So that’s good enough, right?”

Saburo’s eyes soften as Argo Kishii Gakudan as a whole tackle Jiro in a group hug. Jiro’s blue and white jacket falls to the ground next to them and the visual kei band more or less continue to tell Jiro he looks perfect in their outfit, and he’ll always be a part of their band. 

The train slowly comes to a stop and the Yamadas look at the train that will bring them back to Ikebukuro. Saburo looks up to Hitoya and bows slightly. “We’ve been in your care this entire time. Thank you for your help.”

Hitoya waves it off. “It wasn’t a big deal. As long as things turned out okay, that’s all that mattered. As long as Kuko isn’t suffering, and Jyushi isn’t crying, that’s all that matters.”

Saburo smirks at that response and waves. “Well, next time we see each other, I hope you’ll treat us to yakiniku!”

Hitoya groans. “Knowing you, you’d try to get all the expensive beef. Not gonna happen, kid.”

Saburo laughs heartily at that response and meets up with Jiro and Ichiro. Ichiro presses one last kiss to Kuko’s lips before reluctantly letting go, and Jiro holds his blue and white jacket in his hands. After a moment’s thought, he puts it around Jyushi’s shoulders and pulls him in for one last kiss.

“I love you, Jyushi.”

Jyushi’s eyes glitter at the statement and he does his best to blink away the tears. “I love you, Jiro.”

Jiro slowly lets go of his jacket and steps backwards towards Ichiro and Saburo. Jyushi looks down at the jacket draped over his shoulders and looks back to Jiro. “But Jiro-“

“It won’t be the last time we see each other, Jyushi. I know you’ll take care of it until we meet up again. You can always think of me when you see it, okay?”

Jyushi clutches the jacket with all his might as his tears eventually fall. But the smile on his face is brighter than anything else. “Of course I will, Jiro. Until we see each other again.”

Jyushi and everyone else wave at the Yamadas and the Yamadas wave back until the train is long gone. 

Kuko looks at Jyushi as he silently sheds his tears. But behind those eyes aren’t sadness. There’s bright hope that the next time they will see each other will be soon. And that’s something that makes Kuko slap Jyushi hard on the back and grin. “You two have gotten used to this a little, huh?”

Jyushi carefully wipes his tears and nods. “I guess you could say that. It was the third time we’ve said goodbye like this. But this one seems even more… important than the first time we’ve said goodbye.”

Kuko grabs Jyushi’s hand and drags him down to the entrance of the train station. “Well, we should go and get somethin’ to eat. That way, we can talk to them about whatever it is Hitoya is treatin’ us to when they get back to ‘Bukuro!”

Jyushi jumps. “Ah! Kuko-san said “‘Bukuro!” Like how Jiro and Ichiro-san say it!”

Kuko’s ears burn bright red at the statement, but he laughs it off. “Well, why the hell not?! ‘Bukuro is their home. And for us who love them…” Kuko’s golden eyes glitter as the afternoon sun reflects in his eyes. “Isn’t it home for us too?”

Jyushi can only smile at that response. “Of course it is!”

With that said, Kuko laughs loudly. “So, Hitoya! Where are ya gonna treat us?”

Hitoya sighs. “Who said I was gonna treat you guys to dinner? Freakin’ kids.”

“Ma, isn’t it okay at least for this time, Amaguni-san?” Keisuke asks. “It’s something that they can look forward to, so then they don’t think too much on the long distance relationships deal.”

Hitoya takes that information with a smirk. “I guess you do have a point, kid. But you know…”

The adults look at the two teenagers talking animatedly, and see the stuffed pig that Jyushi loves move and make another statement that makes Jyushi laugh. 

Hitoya’s gaze softens a little. “For kids dealing with a long distance relationship, they look like they’re doing fine.”

Keisuke smirks. “You’re right about that, Amaguni-san.”

Jun and Takeru take in the sight with grins of their own. 

“Jyushi. My brother found out that the cafe a few blocks from here was serving napolitan as part of a collab menu. Wanna check it out?” Jun goes down the stairs and Jyushi literally brightens up at the statement. 

“Really?! I would love to check it out!”

Jyushi asks Hitoya with his eyes and the elder can only stuff his hands into his pockets. “Whatever. If Kuko is alright with it, I’m okay with it. But just making it clear… I’m not paying for your friends.”

“It’s alright, Amaguni-san! We can pay for ourselves!” Takeru jumps. “If it means we can spend time with Jyushi, I’m fine with whatever!”

Keisuke smirks. “Yeah. Jyushi needs to spill the beans about this joining the division rap battles deal. We’re your closest friends and yet you didn’t tell us either! Have you no faith in us?”

Jyushi waves his hands. “No, that’s not it-“

“Hey! I’m Jyushi’s closest friend!” Amanda protests and Jun, being the only one of the three to hear them, can only snort in response. “You guys pissed off Jyushi’s real closest friend.”

Takeru points at the pig accusingly. “But you’re like, family! You don’t count, Amanda!!”

“But if we’re talking about family, Jyushi’s part of my family! Don’t underestimate the bonds of Bad Ass Temple!” Kuko yells. 

The four argue amongst each other before Jyushi clenches his fists and yells with a red face, “But I’m gonna get married to Jiro! Jiro and the Yamadas are my family! Ah- well… not… yet……..”

Slowly, Jyushi hides behind his hands and screams out his embarrassment. 

Hitoya takes in the entire scene and pulls out his phone. It wasn’t his thing to take photos, but the chaos from these brats looked like it would be something nice for the Yamadas to look at.  

With a press of his phone’s shutter, he sends a couple of photos to the youngest Yamada. 

“Everyone misses you guys already. You’d probably want to call them when you guys get back home.”

With a moment to think about it again, Hitoya adds another message. 

“Don’t take too long to come back to Nagoya.”

“Oiiii Hitoya!! I’m hungry!!” Kuko yells.

“Hitoya-saaaaaan! Let’s go!!”

Hitoya pockets his phone and goes down the rest of the stairs. “Alright, I’m coming.”

And Hitoya doesn’t tell Kuko or Jyushi about the photos while they all enjoy the new napolitan from the limited time menu. They only learn of it when Kuko and Jyushi get phone calls from their boyfriends screaming of their beauty and other mumbled craziness. 

But Hitoya continues to not say anything, instead opting to smoke a cigarette and listen to the chaotic conversations while they continue to walk down the streets of their home.

Their lovely Nagoya Division.

But there was something in the air that would bring on another lively change to Nagoya Division as well. But it would have to wait a little longer. 

After all, there were still a few months before the 2nd Division Rap Battle. And Hitoya knew that Bad Ass Temple would do everything possible to get themselves into the final battle. So for now, Hitoya decides to enjoy the evening scenery as the panicked voices of Jyushi and Kuko fill the air. 

Letting a puff of smoke into the air, Hitoya breaks out a rare genuine smile. 

“I really do love it here.”

Kuko and Jyushi hear his casual statement, and the smiles the share in response tell Hitoya the same thing.

They love it as much as he does.