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If you asked Yuuichiro Amane what his favorite thing about the Marching Band was, he wouldn’t say the music.
Don’t get him wrong, the band was good. Very good, in fact. But whenever he attended an event where they played, the music was not his priority. What was his priority was a certain tuba player.
A little tall, with fluffy blond hair and blue eyes, was the star musician of the band - Mikaela Shindo.
He also happened to be Yuu’s best friend, of about almost twenty years. They met when they were very small, and instantly became attached at the hip. And it was both a blessing and a curse to have attended college together.
A blessing, because it meant Yuu could stay with Mika.
But also a curse, because now Yuu had to deal with living in close quarters with Mika.
And keeping his crush on the blond under wraps for so long was quite challenging, to say the least. Why did Yuu think it was a good idea to co-lease an apartment with Mika again?!
Sighing, Yuu watches from the stands as the band takes the field. And as expected, their performance is flawless, Mika leading not only the tubas, but the whole band.
Yuu had to admit though, it was pretty comical. The tuba was a very large instrument, and the sheer size of it made Mika look tiny. Though the gold brass had also matched Mika’s blond hair quite nicely. Not that Yuu would ever tell Mika that, though.
As their performance comes to an end, the team retakes the field, and the game resumes. Yuu zones out, not really caring if the team won or not.
Sitting up, he leaves the stands of the stadium, and waits the rest of the game out in the parking lot. Leaning against the side of his black honda civic, he only looks up when he hears a familiar voice.
“Hey Yuu-chan,” Mika greets. “How’d you like the performance?”
“You did great,” Yuu hums, smiling. Opening the trunk, he takes Mika’s tuba case and shoves it in.
“Easy with it.” Mika lightly scolds.
“Just get in the car, Princess.” Yuu teases, slamming the trunk shut.
Mika blushes, but opens the passenger side door and hops in anyways. Yuu gets in after him, and as they buckle up and the modified sedan roars to life, Yuu peeks at Mika.
“Sooo… wanna grab dinner?”
“Of course,” Mika laughs, checking his phone. “I’m starving.”
Yuu hums happily as he pulls out of the parking lot, and drives to the nearest fast food restaurant. Ignoring Mika’s comments about how they should eat something else, Yuu knows that Mika secretly has a desire for fast food.
Parking in an abandoned lot, they eat their food in silence.
“Can’t believe this is our second to last semester,” Mika suddenly comments. “Have you begun to look for any job offerings?”
“Nope.” Yuu responds.
Mika groans, rolling his eyes. “Why am I not surprised?”
“Have you?” Yuu asks, glancing at Mika as he licks ketchup off of his fingers.
“...I have.” Mika admits. “In fact, I got a pretty good offer that pays really well.”
“Really? That’s awesome!” Yuu says, crumpling his paper bag. Smiling, he looks at Mika, but frowns when Mika doesn’t share his excitement.
“...Mika? What’s wrong?”
“It’s in Germany.”
“...Huh?”
“The job offer,” Mika sighs. “It’s in Germany.”
“...That’s pretty far.”
“I know.”
Yuu looks away, and feels a frown of his own taking its place on his face.
“...So. You gonna take it?”
Mika bites his bottom lip, staring at his hands. Slowly, he and Yuu make eye contact, before Mika smiles sadly.
“I… really want to take it. But… I want you to come with me.”
Yuu startles, as he points at himself and laughs nervously.
“...Me? Why me?”
“Because,” Mika laughs, a genuine smile taking his face. “You’re my best friend.”
Ah.
There it is.
The word Yuu hates so much.
Mika’s smile drops as Yuu glares at the steering wheel, the paper bag in his hand becoming even more crumpled.
“Yuu…?”
“I-I don’t think I should come with you,” Yuu says, not looking at Mika.
Mika gasps, frustration etching itself onto his face. “Why not?”
“Because…” Yuu sighs, taking a deep breath. “I’m not sure that it’ll work out.”
“What?!” Mika snaps, anger boiling to the surface. “Yuu, we’ve lived together for three years, and nothing bad has ever happened!”
“Oh yeah?” Yuu grunts, glaring at Mika. “Well maybe that’s the problem!”
“...What?” Mika says, slightly stunned. “Wait, I’m confused. You’re mad because we don’t have any issues living together?”
“Not that!” Yuu groans, letting his head hit the steering wheel. “It’s just…”
Looking at Mika, whose gold brows are pinched down in confusion, Yuu rips the band-aid off.
“I like you, Mika. And living with you is… it’s just torture, sometimes.”
“...I don’t understand.”
Picking his head up, Yuu casts Mika a sad look.
“What’s there to not understand?”
“I mean, I like you too. So how would living together be torture, exactly?”
Yuu groans loudly, letting his head hit the steering wheel again.
“What?!” Mika snaps, confusion laced with anger. “Yuu, you’re sending me mixed signals here!”
“I mean I like you in a romantic sense, idiot!”
Before Mika has a chance to reply, Yuu rambles on. Better get his point across while he still can.
“I want to take you out, not as friends, but as lovers. Go on dates. Snuggle with you. Cook and eat every meal together, watch movies, literally do anything and everything together!
It’s fine if you don’t feel the same way,” Yuu sighs, looking at his speedometer. “I just hope… we can still remain friends, at least.”
“Oh. I see.”
Yuu looks at Mika for the first time, though the blond appears… quite pensive.
“So, basically do what we’re already doing?”
“Yes!” Yuu cries. “Well, with kissing. And stuff.”
“And stuff?” Mika asks, cocking his head to the side.
“Don’t worry about it right now,” Yuu pouts, blushing as he looks out the window quickly. Seeing Mika’s dim reflection in his window, he clears his throat. “...So. Are you gonna answer my question?”
“Answer what question?”
Fuming, Yuu spins around in his seat, and grabs Mika by his squishy cheeks.
“Will. You. Go. Out. With me, you blockhead!”
“ Oh ,” Mika says quietly. Smiling, he nods his head. “I’d love that, Yuu-chan.”
Yuu sighs, bumping his forehead against Mika’s.
“I’m in love with a dumbass.”
“Ditto.” Mika says, giggling.
“Hey!”
Laughing, Yuu shoves Mika, and the two return to their apartment. They enter as a couple, like they usually do, though this time there’s a haze of love in the air.
Later that night, as they cuddle in bed, Mika pokes Yuu’s chest.
“Mph?” Yuu grunts, opening his eyes to stare into Mika’s.
“You never answered my question.” Mika pouts.
“...Which is?”
“Germany.” Mike breathes. “Will you go with me?”
Yuu opens his mouth, before he smiles lovingly, and pushes Mika’s face into his bare chest.
“Of course, love.”
Smiling as well, Mika cuddles back, wrapping his arms around his lover.
It might’ve taken his Yuu a while, but he couldn’t help it - he was just too much fun to tease. Though he was glad that they could finally be like this together. Forever, and always.