Chapter Text
This is the story of Hyodo Kumon, who had a fatal crush on his friend Arakawa Shifuto. He didn't know how it had started. His looks? The way his face brightened up each time baseball was mentioned? The way the boy always dragged his friends somewhere new each time they hung out? His laugh? Kumon could go hours long with those questions. He knew for sure those feelings weren't about to end anytime soon. Knowing he had almost confessed his feelings several times already, and in very clumsy ways.
The first time was at one of GOD-za's plays. Shifuto had invited Kumon and Azami to watch the performance, who accepted without hesitation. This time, the story was of a prince who needed..... um.... yeah he. Pretty much did not follow the story. He was, let's say, busy.
See, the prince was played by Shifuto, who looked very handsome dressed as a royal. Kumon also thought he looked stunning with this hairdo. So yes, you could say Kumon was gay panicking the entire time. He was very fond of fantasy stories, after all, can you really blame him? Point is, he couldn't focus on anything else but his crush. And the worst had yet to happen, because they had to meet the actors backstage afterwards. And so approach his crush. And probably talk. And probably hug because Shifuto was very affectionate. To conclude, Kumon knew he was in big danger.
When the play ended, Azami got up from his seat and looked at his friend, who didn't budge. Kumon looked back. They both knew Kumon was always the one getting up first.
"You comin' or..?"
Kumon gulped, and shot up from his seat to follow Azami towards the back rooms silently.
You can do this Kumon. You don't need to necessarily look at him. You'll be fine. Just because there's someone super pretty in the room doesn't mean you have to focus on him. You can do this.
Arriving in front of the room, the brunette looked again at his friend, who seemed worse than the previous minute.
"You sure you're okay? You're stressing even during others' plays now?"
Kumon looked back hesitantly.
"Ooof course I am. I'm not stressed at all!"
Azami raised an eyebrow.
"...I swear I'm fine!! Open the door already!" The boy was Not convinced, but opened the door nonetheless.
Of course, Shifuto immediately noticed the door moving, and his face lit up recognizing his closest friends. He had already removed his costume for comfier clothes and was halfway through cleaning the makeup. Kumon barely had the time to think cute before him and Azami were already crushed by his embrace.
"Azami, Kumon-san, you're here!! Did ya like the play? Bet I looked awesome up there, huh?"
"Oi, Shifuto, I can't breathe—" Azami managed to tell while battling Shifuto to get away from him. Kumon could barely hear them bicker, something about finishing to clean makeup and letting go, but he was too focused on trying to process that his crush was hugging him. And he could clearly feel his face burning.
To distract himself, Kumon tried to pay attention to the room he was in. The room was much bigger than the one they had at Mankai, and everything seemed crazily expensive. One of the walls was covered by a big mirror, with so many makeup products on the shelves under he could already imagine Azami eyes sparkling looking at each product and noting stuff in his phone. The other side was mainly costumes and props storage. That’s GODza for you, I guess.
"Oi, Arakawa, be quiet! This isn't a playground!" Haruto scolded. Madoka said nothing but a smile, amused by the current situation. Both were sitting on seemingly very comfortable (and expensive) sofas in a side of the room, discussing the performance the troupe had just delivered with some other staff members.
Shifuto chuckled, making Haruto yell “Respect your elders!” across the room, and finally released his friends, relieving both (for completely different reasons).
Kumon knew he really needed to use his acting skills now, because he was way too obvious. He still felt his face flaming hot and probably looked like he was about to get another fever of his.
"Yeah we were! The play was super cool! You looked awesome on stage!!" Kumon replied excitedly. Technically he wasn't lying. He simply wasn't telling the complete truth.
Good job Kumon. Keep up the good work.
"Kumon's right, you looked pretty cool. I ain't gonna lose to ya though." Azami smirked slightly.
"Heh, we'll see who's gonna win, Azami~" Shifuto grinned, nudging his childhood friend who pushed him aside again. Kumon smiled at the two, internally gushing about his crush.
Why did he need to look so cute?! He’s trying to stay alive right here!! And Shifuto is mostly focused on Azami, which probably explains why they hadn’t noticed his face yet, but who knows how long this is gonna last?!
“Ah, hold on, Is that the brand’s latest eyeshadow palette?”
Kumon looked towards Azami, who had noticed the makeup stuff near the mirrors. Seeing it closer, he noticed some brand Azami had talked about in the past. He didn’t remember much about it, but recalls Azami saying it was high quality stuff. Once again not surprising, coming from GODza.
"Ah, yeah, I recommended it to the makeup staff, I've seen good reviews about their makeup on #cosmetics" Haruto replied, getting up from the sofa and approaching the teenager.
"You did, Asuka-san? Eeeh, I didn't expect you to be into makeup."
"Is there any problem with it?!"
"Ah, not at all, I'd be happy to talk about it with you. Actually, I did write some of those reviews…"
Before Kumon noticed it, Azami and Haruto were already lost in their own makeup world. Madoka chuckled at the two, before focusing back on the staff. Kumon looked back at Shifuto, which made him realize the terrible situation: they were both alone. Facing each other.
… Good job, Hyodo Kumon. You jinxed yourself. But how could you, Azami! I was believing in you!! Shifuto is totally gonna notice now!!!
"Eeeh? Kumon-san, are you okay? Your face seems a bit red. Did you catch a fever? Come here."
……By this point Kumon firmly believed Itaru was luckier than him. Wait what did he mean by come h—
Shifuto approached and softly put his hand on Kumon's forehead, in order to check his temperature, which made him widen his eyes (and blush harder).
………Itaru was definitely luckier.
The teen was unable to move, all he could do was glare at Shifuto's terribly pretty golden eyes. He seemed deep in thought, so he probably didn’t notice how awfully close they were. Kumon bit his bottom lip, trying his best to not look at his’.
"Eeeh, you're a bit warm, Kumon-san, maybe you should rest a little" Shifuto concluded.
Kumon didn't respond, and Shifuto promptly removed his hand, realizing what he had done.
"A-Ah! Sorry 'bout that, I guess it's the older brother's instincts… well. even though you're technically older than me!" he chuckled.
Kumon felt his heart pinch. He wasn’t gonna swear because he categorically refused to be like Settsu Banri but ARGHH why did he need to be so adorable. WHY?
Then Shifuto’s words sinked in. Brother instincts. Did he just. Get brotherzoned. It wasn’t the case, right? Right??? It’s technically just taking care of someone. …right?
Upon the lack of response, the taller boy waved at him.
“Kuuumooonnn-saaaaannnn?”
“Huh— It’s fine! Totally fine! I’m okay!”
…Good job, Kumon. Very convincing. Totally believable.
Shifuto frowned and tilted his head.
“Are ya sure? Ya seem… anxious? Y’know you can talk to me if something’s wrong! We’re friends after all!” he said, smiling.
Kumon felt warm. Comfortably warm. That kind of feeling he had whenever Shifuto was kind to him. It made him feel safe, at peace; it calmed him down. You could even say he felt at home, like he belonged here. He just felt loved.
“Thanks, Shifuto, i l— llll. I’ll remember.” Kumon stuttered, gathering his nearly two years of acting experience to show his brightest smile to Shifuto and not show the panic and more panic currently exploding within him.
HYYYYODO KUMON WHAT. WHAT WAS THAT?! WERE YOU ABOUT TO CONFESS???? JUST LIKE THIS?!! WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT?! THAT’S NOT HOW IT WORKS!! Oh my god. My face is probably flaming up now. That was horrendous. Hyodo Kumon you are worth better than that. For god’s sake. I can’t believe this deadass happened. Did he notice?!
“Of course! Though ya really seem sick right now, ya should go and get some rest, aight? Or else we won’t be able to play baseball tomorrow.” he winked.
Kumon thanked every powerful being in the sky for gifting Arakawa Shifuto with oblivion.
Wait, what baseball match? …Right. The baseball match. They had planned it a while ago with a few others. He had forgotten about this. Kumon REALLY was in danger. And he hated it, but Shifuto gave him a reason to leave, and he had to take it before embarrassing himself even further. At this point he was about to drop dead.
“Fine, we shouldn’t bother you further anyway.” Kumon sighed, turning towards Azami to call him. The boy looked at him and gestured a “I’m coming” before turning back towards Haruto. Kumon snorted. Nerd.
Shifuto scolded him saying he wasn’t a bother, Kumon replied he didn’t mean it like that, but they didn’t have time to bicker further that Azami had arrived with a little smile and a bag in hand. Kumon assumed it was makeup Haruto had agreed to give him.
“No way, Izumida Azami, smiling! Did the emo teenager finally break the ice?”
“No way, Azami, smiling! Did he finally meet someone not holding hands until marriage?”
Azami dropped his shoulders to glare menacingly at both, shouting “Tch, knock it off you two!”, which made the baseball duo grin and Azami sighed.
“You two are awful.”
“We’re your best friends.”
“Yeah what he said.”
“Whatever. Let’s go Kumon.” Azami said, already leaving the room, not without thanking Haruto again. Kumon and Shifuto both knew he actually liked hearing that, but it’s not like Settsu junior was gonna admit it.
Kumon then realized Azami was leaving without him.
“Hey wait for me! Bye Shifuto cya tomorrow!” Kumon waved at him while running towards the exit to catch up to Azami.
Shifuto chuckled, watching Kumon leave with a soft smile.