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He remembers perfectly when it started - that observation of his.
It was that one time when Matsubase came back from his part time job he and the masked man worked at. Shorter male sighed loudly before sitting on the ground.
"How was the work today?" Yashiro asked him.
There was a moment of silence, followed by a tired reply - "Terrible. I can’t even count how many times I’ve been mistaken for a middle schooler today. I already told the woman managing that whole place I did hit 18 a long time ago she’s still focused on her own weird way of thinking. And the guests are always rude! Not only they look down on me because all I do is clean here, they think I’m a kid too."
Blonde haired man thought of a reply for a moment. Well, it wasn’t a new thing for Matsubase to be mistaken for a child. He thought the older would get used to it, but he’s still the same. Always mad at the comments and jokes about his height. He thought it was a little cute, to be honest.
He thought it was what??
He quickly shrug the thought off. He must’ve been tired after taking care of Sachi.
"Aren’t you used to it by now?"
"Of course not! Well, a little. But being used to it doesn’t mean I like when they treat me like a child."
Yashiro only nodded at that, a moment of silence went on afterwards. And then a question popped in his mind.
"Matsubase-san, did you study somewhere?"
Matsubase looked at him, visibly surprised.
"Oh? Where did that come from?"
"I just thought…They often mistake you with a middle schooler, but you said you didn’t actually went to school. You’re really smart and you’re very good at your job too, so I thought that you must’ve studied somewhere." To be honest, he regretted saying that the last moment. He didn’t know if Matsubase wanted to talk about that stuff, given the situation why he didn’t go to school as a child. Thankfully, the red haired man didn’t seem to mind, or even notice the mention of his childhood.
"You think I’m smart? My, you flatter me." He said in his typical, teasing voice, but then continued. "But yeah, I did study forensics at one of Tokyo's universities."
Yashiro couldn’t say he was surprised, he did expect that - but it would get quiet after that, and he wanted to talk a little more (why? didn’t they already talk a lot?), so he asked him - "Really? What kind of thing do they teach here? I mean…"
He didn’t need to explain, because Matsubase already had his answer.
"Hm…for example-" And then he went on, talking about all these things he found interesting.
Yashiro didn’t expect him to start talking like this about it, but he found his voice strangely relaxing. He looked like he enjoyed telling him about all these things. His whole presence during that just told Yashiro how passionate he was about his job.
And that’s when he started paying attention to the details. He noticed how his voice got a little softer than his usual one was, but more mature at the same time. He saw a small smile on his lips, one that he wished he could kiss right away. He saw the way his eyes had the light, one that makes you fall in love at the sight of them. His right eye too. He saw it when his hair moved as he was talking. The light and passion he fell in love with.
And then it hit him.
God, he had fallen for him, didn’t he?
———————————————
It’s been days since he actually realized that his usual thoughts "oh, that’s cute" "he really is amazing" "he looks pretty in that angle" weren’t the thoughts he was supposed to normally have about his boss. Yet still, ever since that evening when Matsubase told him about his interests, he couldn’t stop noticing new things about his co-worker.
He saw the way his mood would always lighten up when Yashiro says they’ll have meat for dinner. He figured out his favorite dish is meat, any kind of it.
He noticed he usually smokes around 5 cigarettes a day, and that he never smokes inside.
He witnessed Matsubase playing chess with Sachi multiple times. His boss would always get super defensive and all after losing, but deep down Yashiro knew he was actually happy that the girl was finally starting to open up on people. He would see how Matsubase’s face had an expression with a small smile after Sachi told him she’s always going to win.
Despite smoking everyday, he never really smelled like it. Yashiro couldn’t tell what smell it was, whether it was some kind of perfume or something else, but he knew he liked that smell. Of course, because it reminded him of Matsubase.
He liked the way his red hair would flow when the wind blowed when they were outside somehow they were outside (Obviously with Sachi and the masked man, since they weren’t allowed to go alone. He didn’t really mind, though). Especially when it accidentally show a part of his right side. He admitted it to himself, he really liked how Matsubase looked without the half of his face covered (Of course, he thought he was pretty with it too).
He also knows that Matsubase is a type of person that really enjoys reading. He mentioned it once, how he misses being able to stay up at night and read. They both didn’t bring any of their personal things from Tokyo, so Matsubase didn’t have any books here. Yashiro really enjoyed the thought of Matsubase liking a good book, because he himself loved reading too. He would do it more often if he had more free time.
Recently he also found Matsubase's voice really soothing. His usual teasing didn't seem so embarrassing, as long as someone making fun of Yashiro was Matsubase, he didn't really mind. And God, his laugh. He loved the sound of his laugh. Little giggles, the times when you could just hear the smile on his face - the blonde always paid attention to it and loved every second.
———————————————
It was nice - living like this. Well, maybe "living" wasn't the right word, he'd only been like this for around two weeks since that conversation. (Of course his crush probably developed a long time ago, but he never really paid attention to it and jist shrug it off, always thinking that it's just because he's tired.) But it surely did felt like his whole life went like that.
It was nice, but it got tiring after a while. Not being able to do anything, just sit and watch in silence.
And that's why he's standing here, on a balcony, with Matsubase right next to him.
"I need to tell you something." He recalls his words from not too long ago, right after the shorter man came from his "work". Matsubase let out a silent "Oh?" under his breath, as the "We need to talk" thing didn't usually end too well. Obviously, he wasn't scared that Yashiro would tell him something horrible - like "I'm gonna quit my job" or anything - he knew Yashiro wouldn't. Or at least hoped he wouldn't.
"So..." Yashiro started nervously. Of course he was terrified to ruin his relationship with his own boss. It still wasn't too late to back away and just leave things as they were before.
And that was what he almost decided to do. Just back away, tell him "Nevermind, I forgot." or something. Pretend his crush never happened, just keep the thoughts to himself.
Almost.
"You know you can tell me anything, right? I don't know what you want to tell me, but I promise I won't be angry - if that's what you're worrying about." Matsubase said.
Of course you won't. Not angry, maybe disgusted? Uncomfortable? Yashiro thought to himself.
We're on a balcony. Sachi could hear us. "Mister" could too.
It will be awkward between us.
It- fuck it, be a man.
"I've wanted to tell you this for a long time." He paused. He doesn't need to do this now.
But he will.
My feelings for you.
Matsubase nooded, waiting for him to continue. He wasn't stupid. Well, he really was a genius after all. He already secretly had suspicions about what yashiro was trying to convey to him when he started. You could just see it on his face. The embarrassment and all. Matsubase smiled a little at the thought of Yashiro struggling with his confession. It just made things easier for him though, since the red haired man wanted to tell something similiar to his employee too. He decided he'll just wait, not wanting to interrupt Yashiro.
"I'm really..." Yashiro tried again, but ended up sighing. "It's stupid-"
"It's not stupid." Matsubase quickly said. "It's okay. Go on." He said in a reassuring tone.
"You sound like you already know where this is going?" The blonde muttered, loud enough for Matsubase to hear.
"Maybe I do. We'll see if you say it." He gave him a large smile, the one he loved so much.
That was one huge confidence boost for Yashiro, knowing that Matsubase seems eager to hear the iconic words.
He sighed.
I'm in love with you. I really am. I..." He paused. "I honestly don't expect you to-"
"I think you're worrying about it a little bit too much" Matsubase interrupted, still smiling wide.
"I love you too."
For a second, it felt like the world just stopped.
Yashiro stared at him in silence, processing. He knew Matsubase wasn't joking. He knew that he would never play with his feeling like this.
The taller man didn't know what to say.
So he didn't say anything, he just took a step forward and hugged him. Maybe I should have kissed him? He thought at first, but then noticed that Matsubase willingly returned the hug. He heard the shorter man exhale quietly. I guess he was a little nervous too...
And then they parted, the time resuming to it's normal way.
They stared at eachother in silence for a moment, both smiling widely. It was awkward, but comfortably awkward.
———————————————
"We should probably go inside, it's getting colder." Matsubase said, getting his hands off the balcony railing.
Yashiro nodded at that, but then an idea popped in his mind.
"Matsubase-san, can I kiss you?"
He could tell he surprised Matsubase with his question, but he knew he wasn't surprised in a bad way.
His new boyfriend showed him a gentle smile. "Matsubase? It should be Hijiri for you now, shouldn't it?"
The thought of calling Matsubase by his first name made Yashiro smile too.
"Alright then, Hijiri, can I kiss you?"
"Of course."
And then they kissed.
And the world stopped around them once more.