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It was another day for Kiyoomi to rant. For Heaven's sake. Yes, he did love being clean. He loved the thought, he loved the feels. He loved it in general because he was a clean person, and he knew it was essential.
He never really pushed his ideas to anyone, but he, for himself, wanted to put it in his actions and everyday life. However, as he did so, of course people would notice. Actually, he's glad at first because that could actually mean they could be sensitive enough when they're with him.
On the contrary, knowing who he was also meant this.
Enough of his cleanliness rant inside his head, he sighed loudly, breath echoing inside the classroom. As a high school student, they could not always rely on the people around them to clean their classrooms, so everyday, each row has to be left behind and clean as clean as possible to make the worker's job light.
It was actually usual for him, but his seat mates were a bunch of kids, and left him all alone when they were satisfied with the 'clean' they did. Of course, Kiyoomi was not. He kept grimacing as he maneuvered all the seats together. He was rolling his eyes every time he would find pieces of paper stuck under the tables, and he would grit his teeth at every candy wrapper each corner of the room.
If Motoya could see him, his cousin would just probably say leave it because the wrappers were small enough to be unnoticed. Especially, the paper tucked under the tables, because if it were noticeable enough, his seat mates would most likely bring it with them.
But that's not the case for him.
As soon as he was finished putting another plastic for the trash can, leaving the tied plastic full of dry trash beside it, he wiped his hands with his alcohol. He could feel sweat trickling down his forehead, but he immediately wiped it off.
As expected, they were really the first classroom to be released, hence the full- packed students in the hallway. He wanted to wait until everything else was empty, but he had to hurry home.
With a sigh, Kiyoomi held his bag tight, closing his thoughts before locking the door of the classroom, and striding off. He never was comfortable with big crowds, that's why he kept breathing out. He could feel every movement of people walking passed him, most of them were going in the opposite direction towards the gate, but he had another destination in mind. He had to go to his adviser first to give her the classroom key, before he could finally go home.
"Have you seen-!?"
Suddenly, a big surge of laughing men came out of the classroom he was about to pass through. He wanted to go as soon as possible, but he could not. It seemed like the men were still on the way.
The students' around him were not as many as when he went out, but these men were the one making noise in the hallway, making it look so fuller than how it actually was. Uncomfortably full, but not this uncomfortably, noisy full.
Irritated, and uncomfortable, Kiyoomi gnawed his lower lip, lowering his head also in the process. Albeit being one of the tallest man for his age, he felt really small.
He should have just given the key to his classmate.
"Ops!"
When he was about to lose his hope, a sudden stop came. No, really. It was as if everything stopped moving, and all he could hear was the loud beat of his heart, probably from the anxiousness he felt. The surge of men was nowhere near his front, everyone was already behind him.
Orange.
Surprised, Kiyoomi looked up... and down for a bit again. There, he saw another group of men inside the classroom, bunched up, laughing, but could not go through the door. When he looked at the reason, all he could think was he knew the man, but not his name.
The orange-haired man was sporting a white polo, with checkered necktie, and gray checkered pants—their uniform. Though, he wasn’t wearing their gray coat. On his body was his beige-colored body bag, and he had a wide grin on his face. He wasn't looking at him, and Kiyoomi knew that's not the reason why the men stopped.
It was because the man with the orange-hair was spreading his arms on the doorway, standing on the threshold in solid form. He was leaning inside the room, back facing the group of men. Kiyoomi could see it... as if the man was deliberately obstructing the door so he could pass through without sweat.
Once again, he looked at him. His orange hair seemed to be an attraction, because there was no way no one hadn't tried to look at it. His shoulders were broad, and Kiyoomi could see the flex of his biceps with the way his uniform accentuated it as he held onto each side of the doorway.
"Are you going?"
That's what woke Kiyoomi. His cheeks felt hot as soon as he heard the voice. It wasn't light, nor feathery, it wasn't super deep either. His voice was like the sound of morning air, stroking his ear first thing in the day. Not heavy, not feathery; just soothing and comfortable.
Silently, he gulped. "Ah, yes. Thank you," he whispered the last word.
He did not wait for his reply. Instead, he immediately went his way, not even bothering himself to think whether the man heard his gratitude or not.
It didn't really matter.
Or so he thought.
He knew the man was familiar. That orange hair, perfectly built body, and blinding smile, he could really recognize him. They didn't really know each other personally, no interaction ever, but he knew him.
When tomorrow came, Kiyoomi thought everything would be just his usual. The usual day he expected himself to have, because there's nothing really exciting about being a student. All he did was to study, eat, and study again.
However, the moment he stepped inside the gate of the school, his eyes drifted to the orange hair under the tree. This time, he was wearing their coat—and he was not disappointed, okay. A brief flashback of what happened yesterday flashed his mind, and he did not even know why. Mentally, he thought, mentally he cringed.
"It's early Tuesday morning, and you're already looking grumpy tired, as if you're living on a Friday afternoon." That was Motoya.
Surprise etched Kiyoomi's face, but he immediately hid it. Tried actually, because Motoya, the only man ever, had caught on.
He looked away. "I don't know what you're talking about," denying, he walked away.
"Hey! Kiyoomi!"
Paying no attention, he fastened his pace as he walked. He knew he would have to pass through the orange-haired man before going to his destination. Kiyoomi was completely aware, and he already conditioned himself not to be swayed by anything in his mind.
Last night, he couldn't sleep. It was the first time someone made an action for him, and he didn't know, but his heart had fluttered at that. His thoughts were in haywire, and all he could think was that .
The way his orange hair flew towards different directions, his arms flexed in the way Kiyoomi could not imagine, and yes, his bright smile although he wasn't really looking at him.
Not able to contain himself, Kiyoomi subtly glanced towards the man's direction. His orange hair was as fluffy as ever, just like how every time he would see him around the campus. Well, it's not like he always noticed him. He just didn't really realize he always saw him in every corner of the area because the world was such a small place.
"Where are you looking?"
Kiyoomi gasped to himself when an arm wrapped around him. He looked at the person, and saw his cousin following his gaze. Clicking his tongue, he bit his lower lip when Motoya's gaze directed towards the orange-haired man.
"Oh? You finally know Hinata?" Motoya exclaimed, voice was loud enough to wake the whole campus. Loud enough for Kiyoomi to uncousin him.
"What the heck, Motoya..." he muttered under his breath. He could feel almost everyone's stares, and now he's conscious once again.
Hinata... yes, Hinata. The famous surname.
Of course, everyone would stare! Who wouldn't, if they found out they were talking about the professor's favorite, everyone's crush, and everybody's best friend? And, what did he mean by finally?
As he walked, he could do nothing, but wished the ground to open up and eat him alive on the spot.
"Kiyoomi!"
Motoya could whine all he wanted, but Kiyoomi already wore his brat filter on.
If Kiyoomi already said he was expecting nothing but usual, he should have wished for more. Because this was nothing more than usual. It's not like he usually wished to see a certain orange-haired man during breaks. It's not like he usually zone-out while in class, and ended up thinking about a specific situation. It's not like he always felt warm, because he's not!
"Kiyoomi, what's happening to you?" Once again, it was Motoya. They were walking on the way to their shared-apartment, and like every other day, it would be Motoya who would tell all the stories.
It's not also like Kiyoomi's always a responsive cousin, but Motoya knew he always listened.
Not until today.
"I'm listening." He cleared his throat.
Motoya huffed. "You're not, I know when you are."
Kiyoomi could not even look him in the eye. Instead, the crease on his forehead just deepened, and his hold onto his bag tightened. He tried to release every tension in his body, but to no avail.
"Motoya..."
Motoya faced him, walking backwards. "What? Are you ready to say something now?"
No... he's not. So might as well, "uhm, well, my friend experienced something... different yesterday," he started. His eyes were still staring ahead, not looking at Motoya's expression, he continued, "well, this friend is uh... not comfortable with crowds, but..."
He continued to express his worry since yesterday, he did not leave anything behind even what he felt. Well, everything his friend felt. Though, as he recalled, he could feel his cheeks, ears, and neck warming up. Fortunately, he had his mask on.
"Uhm... there. It was unfamiliar, so it's bothering him," he finished.
That's where he just had the courage to look at Motoya. His cousin was still walking backwards, but his eyes darted to him. What irritated Kiyoomi was the smile on his face.
"You're crushing, Kiyoomi!" he exclaimed.
"Huh?"
Crush? That's not... that couldn't be possible. He had never had a crush on anyone in his life, so he did not know the feeling, but he knew this was not it. He believed this was not it. There was no interaction between them or anything, aside from yesterday. As far as he could remember, Motoya was the one who's friends with the man, and not him.
Also! "It's not me! I told you, it's my friend," he said.
Motoya laughed. "You can't use that on me, Kiyoomi. I know you like the back of my hand."
Under his mask, Kiyoomi let out an uncontrollable pout, not knowing what to say.
"I'm in no position to tell you how you feel, but you're crushing! And it's normal!" Motoya wrapped his arms around him again. "So, is he the one you're looking at earlier?"
Before Kiyoomi could deny, Motoya had already let out a huge laugh as if he was being tickled. "I knew it!"
Kiyoomi was surprised when he let out an even louder laugh. He was concerned the neighborhood would wake up, so he tried to cover his cousin's mouth. "Don't be loud."
Motoya removed Kiyoomi's hand from his mouth, and covered it on his own. His eyes were forming crescents, and when he looked at Kiyoomi, his eyes were shining. "I'm sorry, I'm just—" he laughed again.
Kiyoomi wanted to be offended at that. He could feel his heart beating too fast, while his body had become more dull. He spoke, "right. It's funny, I don't even know why you thought of that. I mean, crush? I don't even have a chance."
Motoya's laugh faded. "That's not what I—Kiyoomi!"
But he already strode off.
Tomorrow was not any better. It was even worse, now that Motoya had thought of 'explanation' to whatever this was. He could not even help himself whenever he would try to take a glance in his direction, and would end up as him, becoming grumpy because of how many people were talking to Hinata. He couldn't help himself whenever he would deliberately pass through Hinata's room even though his destination was the other way.
He could not help it... and it's Motoya's fault. He should've kept quiet.becoming he shouldn't have said anything that made his mind more confused as it already was. Actually! You know what, it’s his fault. It’s Kiyoomi’s. He should not have told anything to him.
Until he just found himself doing what he was doing yesterday, and the other day. He found himself looking forward to tomorrow, because in his mind, there’s this orange-haired man who was bright as ever and that would just complete the day.
Maybe, he really was crushing.
“Kiyoomi, are you sure you don’t want to hear this?” It’s his cousin again. Ever since he laughed that day, Kiyoomi swore not to talk about this silly crush he had. He’s not mad, but he didn’t want to be reminded he had a crush.
“I told you I don’t want to, Motoya. This is just a silly little crush, it will pass,” he answered, wiping the crumbs from his lips.
“It should not!”
“Huh?” he reacted. He looked around when he noticed students were staring. “And, I said don’t be loud.”
Although he was 100% sure Hinata would not care if he found out Kiyoomi had a crush on him, it’s still embarrassing, he probably didn’t even know Kiyoomi.
He was about to take a bite of his bread again, when he felt he was being watched. Someone probably did not leave an eye when everyone did after Motoya’s outburst. Normally, he would just ignore such stares, but this time, he felt the hair from his nape shivering. Instead of eating, he put his bread down and looked to his right.
And he should’ve not.
Because now, he probably looked like a tomato. Even redder.
Hinata, the man with the orange hair, was meeting his eyes from the table not too far from them. Kiyoomi was stuck inside the hazel eyes. His heart felt faster… and faster… and faster, until he could not take it anymore.
He looked away.
The stares were bright and ferocious enough to blind him, that he could not help but look away. His hands were trembling as he felt his cheeks reddened even more. He wanted to burst. Kiyoomi did not know where to look but on the bread he was afraid he would drop once he touched.
“... just you know, it’s the first time you admitted you have a little silly crush, you should—hey, what’s happening to you?”
“T—toya…” he muttered, eyes on the bread.
He was preparing himself to ramble, when the bell rang. Still trembling, he stood up.
What was that?
“Guys! Our last class is cancelled!” the president shouted, heaving breathily. “But don’t be happy, there’ll be orientation—attendance is a must.”
Groans from all of them echoed inside the classroom. Orientations were boring, and Kiyoomi could not help but join the groans, though, more silent.
Kiyoomi brushed the non-existent dust from his coat after seeing everyone preparing to go. He picked up his bag, and put it over his body. Like before, he waited for the majority to leave the classroom before following everyone to the auditorium.
Like what he expected, Motoya was already outside his classroom. His cousin was talking to someone he could remember named Ennoshita who left after smiling in his direction. Motoya waved at him. “Are you hungry? ‘Cause I am!”
“Not really.” He looked at him. “What’s this all about? This should be short, we can eat after this.”
Motoya nodded. “I heard the school invited professionals, and this is for Mental Health Awareness.”
Kiyoomi nodded at that.
When they came to the auditorium, as expected, it was packed. He knew there were still seats for them, but he could not see any because everyone was als finding one. He was about to stand on the corner, when Motoya tucked his sleeves.
“Let’s go! A friend reserved us a seat there.” He pointed somewhere in the middle, not too close to the stage, but also not too far.
“Who?” You know what, “nevermind. I shouldn’t be surprised, say thanks though.” Motoya had many friends.
That’s where he was wrong. He should have asked! If he did, he wouldn’t be stuck in this situation where he would see Hinata waving to their direction. He wouldn’t have to see Hinata’s radiant smile as his eyes formed wrinkles.
“M—motoya…”
“What?” Motoya even tried to hide his smile by biting his lips, but was not successful. “Hi, Hinata! Kiyoomi said thank you!”
What the… heck…
Panic covered in his body, he wanted to combust on the spot, run, leave, but Motoya seemed to know his plans because he had Kiyoomi’s arms in his hand.
“It’s nothing! Ennoshita-san was actually the one who reserved the seat for all of us!” He giggled.
He… giggled… it was so…
Why must I suffer like this?
“Really? He didn’t tell me that.”
Hinata nodded. “Yes! Though, he had to do something, so he’s not here,” he explained, nodding his head.
“Right, I actually ran to him earlier. Student council duties.”
As they converse, Kiyoomi was frozen on his spot. His eyes were the only one moving, and he could see the people on Hinata’s right. Those were the people he’s usually with, the man with a frown, the one who always smiled shyly, the one with the glasses, and the blonde girl in a low ponytail. But, there’s also a man just beside the one with a frown he was not familiar with.
He’d never seen Hinata with that man, who was that?
“Right, Kiyoomi-san?”
His eyes widened. “Y—yes.” What did he say?
Hinata laughed, and heavens, his laugh!
Kiyoomi thought he was already fine before they sat, because all they had to do was sit. And it’s not like he would let Motoya push him to Hinata’s left side. However, he didn’t know if he should be lucky, their eyes met once again—and Hinata smiled at him.
The orientation started with Kiyoomi, looking too tense. He could hear them talking from time to time, but his ears chose to listen to the most unfamiliar voice laughing with Hinata. The two were laughing, and he didn’t know if Hinata could even listen to the orientation properly.
He nudged Motoya. “If he doesn’t want to listen, why is he still here?” he asked, pertaining to the boy who was talking to Hinata.
He glanced at them, he was still whispering to Hinata. SO irritating.
“Are you jealous?”
“I’m not. I’m concerned. Hinata probably wants to listen, but he can’t because someone’s talking to him. He’s that kind,” he whispered back.
Right. He’s just kind, that’s why he did that last time. He probably could not even remember that, because he did that out of kindness.
“That’s Koji. He's been his friend since they were kids,” Motoya whispered. “Though, you probably don’t see him with Hinata often because of their schedule.”
“I don’t care.” He did. He actually did care.
Motoya tilted his head, facing his direction. “Oh? Then, what if I told you he has a crush on Hinata? Can’t you see it? You’re the same, but look at him.” He pointed at the two subtly. “He’s making his moves, and here you are.”
Kiyoomi’s fist clenched. It’d just been a while since he had a crush on Hinata, but he would be hypocritical if he said he didn’t want anything to happen. No, he just didn’t know where to start.
They’re not friends. They’re not even close acquaintances. Their interaction was just that certain moment, aside from those glances after the incident. He didn’t even know whether those glances were really reciprocated, or he just wanted it to be. He hoped it’s the former, because it would be embarrassing if those were just his imaginations.
Suddenly, another wave of giggles entered Kiyoomi’s ears. His brows furrowed at the sound, and even though he didn’t want to, he glanced to their direction, only to see Hinata hushing the boy jokingly.
Well, he thought that did the work, because finally—there was no giggling anymore. He could see them silently listening, and even though the man with the frown was between them, Kiyoomi could not be at ease.
He… wanted to do something.
“M—motoya. What should I do?” he muttered.
“Do? To what?” Motoya seemed puzzled.
Kiyoomi glared at him. “You’re the one who’s telling me to do something, and now that I’m asking, you don’t understand?”
Motoya’s mouth opened, and Kiyoomi looked away, blushing, when his cousin’s face dawned with realization. “Oh…”
Kiyoomi rolled his eyes.
“Why don’t you ask him out?” Motoya whispered teasingly.
But Kiyoomi’s not there to play. “You think so?”
Motoya nodded.
Kiyoomi nodded.
Without further ado, still sitting, Kiyoomi crossed the short distance between him and Hinata. He did not mind Motoya’s widened eyes in between them.
“Hinata, go out with me.”
“I didn’t mean now !” Motoya shrieked. Everyone was surprised. Everyone looked in their direction, but Kiyoomi let Motoya handle that.
Wait… what?
Eyes widened, Kiyoomi looked at Motoya. “Not… now?”
“Good heavens, Kiyoomi,” he exclaimed, trying to be as silent as possible.
With that, he gnawed his lips. He could not look at Hinata anymore. “D—don’t mind that.”\
He was about to get back to his seat, when a hand enveloped his arms. He looked up, and saw Hinata. Surprised was evident on his face, but his smile was still there. “You can’t do that, Kiyoomi-san.”
“Huh?”
“You can’t just say that, and expect me not to do anything,” he said, voice as low, trying not to attract attention like he did.
Flabbergasted was an understatement with how he felt. He could still feel Hinata’s warm hands on his arms, but he could not do anything other than stare at his eyes… just like what he always did when he didn't know what to do. “But, you don’t even know me,” he mumbled.
Hinata laughed, his laugh was as comforting as his voice. “You think so?”
He nodded.
Stifling a laugh, Hinata bit his lower lip. This time, Kiyoomi knew he wasn’t imagining things. Hinata was really looking at him directly in his eyes. Hinata’s hazel eyes were really meeting his dark ones. “Look who your cousin is, Kiyoomi-san,” he said. “And it’s really not that hard to catch my attention, when you’re… Kiyoomi-san ,” he finished.
Kiyoomi swore, he swore he wanted to explode on the spot… once again, because of the certain radiant orang-haired man.
“Wait, Kiyoomi-san. Koji actually has a boyfriend.” Grinning, Hinata giggled.
His face fell. He really had to uncousin someone later.