Chapter Text
July, 1st.
As the evening deepened into night, all the members of the first-year film club finished putting away all the props they had used for their future film projects. This wasn't due to the senior members taking advantage of the newcomers based on seniority; rather, there was an intriguing agenda set by the seniors that ignited the enthusiasm of the first-year members to engage in club activities within their respective divisions, prompting them to continue arranging the props late into the evening.
The entire film club didn't disperse immediately after finishing their tasks. They gathered in the central hall of the art club, where Aiku, the leader of the film club, provided evaluations and shared hints about upcoming activities. After delivering the club's catchphrase, Aiku allowed all the members, including Michael Kaiser, to head home.
The boy with sapphire-like eyes originally intended to go home promptly and relax on his bed. His back and shoulders ached from assisting members of the cinematography and film editing divisions in moving equipment into the film club room. However, his progress was halted by a gentle tug on his shirt sleeve and a soft voice that found its way into his ears.
"I must convey something to you."
Kaiser turned, finding a long-haired redhead with fluttering eyelashes, and bright crimson irises. The boy exhibited how the blood rushed into his cheeks, and so scarlet it was. Unconsciously causing Kaiser's breath to momentarily catch.
If Kaiser's memory served correctly, his name was Chigiri Hyoma. Kaiser had heard that he joined the film club in the second semester.
"What topic are you aiming to discuss? Film editing? Learning to act like an experienced artist? Or perhaps—"
Before Kaiser could finish his question, Chigiri was already quick to respond. Kaiser was almost inclined to reprimand Chigiri due to his weary mood. However, it was evident that Chigiri's tone was no longer as calm and soft as before. His words rushed out, and his voice trembled, as if holding back fear or something Kaiser couldn't quite fathom. Of course, this made Kaiser abandon the idea of reprimanding Chigiri; he wasn't that heartless.
Regulating his breath and suppressing the emotions that had been bubbling up, Kaiser listened closely to Chigiri's words.
"It's not related to the film club. I wish to talk about a different matter."
The German-blooded boy didn't immediately ask the numerous questions that came to mind among the countless possibilities Chigiri might reveal. He merely raised an eyebrow, signaling his curiosity about what Chigiri wanted to discuss beyond matters related to filmmaking (since their conversations thus far had revolved around films).
"You are bejeweled, and that's the reason I find myself quite taken with you, Kaiser."
Chigiri's fingers, which had been gripping Kaiser's sleeve, released their hold. The pretty boy exhaled a truly long breath, as if he had just relieved himself of a lifelong burden. He turned his gaze away from Kaiser's sapphire-blue eyes, perhaps losing the courage to look into them.
And Kaiser? He seemed as if he had just been informed that whales had taken to the skies and cows now occupied the top of the food chain.
There are millions, even billions of possibilities that could come out of Chigiri's mouth. However, Kaiser doesn't understand why it had to be an expression of feelings from Chigiri that came to him.
Not that he wasn't open to it. In fact, Kaiser was pleased to know that someone held affection for him, someone so charming that he felt quite blessed on this day. However, among the numerous possibilities he could think of, he could only consider the worst-case scenario.
He knew that Chigiri wasn't close enough to him to have developed such feelings. Kaiser never sought interactions, and Chigiri, the pretty boy, had largely remained a stranger in his life.
Therefore, to ensure that his hearing wasn't compromised, Kaiser asked, "I beg your pardon?"
This time, Chigiri controlled his breath, mustering the courage to meet Kaiser's gaze once more. Among the countless possibilities he had considered, he concluded that Kaiser might doubt someone having the audacity to express feelings to him.
"You, Kaiser—", Chigiri took another breath, slightly nervous but not for long, "You are the man my heart has chosen to love. And that's what I do, Kaiser. Truly, I do."
A rather long silence followed the pause Chigiri had created while trying to complete his sentence. The irregular rhythm of Chigiri's breath indicated his way of calming himself. Thus, Kaiser decided not to fill the silence with anything he could do or say.
"You are the best thing in my life. It's for the same reason that my heart calls your name."
The second time Chigiri expressed his affection, he finished by bowing his head and biting his lower lip. He regulated his breath to appear composed, not wanting to seem foolish in Kaiser's presence. Nevertheless, he remained defenseless when he once again tried to sneak a glance at Kaiser's eyes. Perhaps Chigiri was overwhelmed by the fear of rejection or maybe his increasingly strong heartbeat prevented him from maintaining that gaze for long.
Well, whether he believed it or not, Kaiser tried to accept that Chigiri, the boy who had been a stranger in his life until now, held affection for him. And Kaiser acknowledged that Chigiri was impressive for daring to reveal his feelings, something Kaiser himself believed he might not be capable of, at least not to the same extent as Chigiri.
Slowly but surely, a smile appeared on Kaiser's face. Not the usual grin he displayed when plotting something mischieves.
"Are you sure about your feelings for me? I'm worried that I might not be good enough for you to choose."
Chigiri looked up, encountering a gentle smile from Kaiser that was only visible to him tonight. It caused him to nod confidently in response to Kaiser's question, "As I've said before."
"I wonder why the universe led you to confess your feelings to me. And I think I'm curious enough to embrace what happens next. So what are you planning to do with me?"
"I want to get to know you better than before. May I?"
Kaiser chuckled at Chigiri's words, reaching out to pat the scarlet-haired boy's head, "Do you know? Anyone can get to know anyone else, and it can get dull. I want you to do more than that—"
Once in a blue moon, Chigiri felt that today, this very moment, the universe was truly on his side as Kaiser bent to level their heights. Their sapphire and crimson irises met, intensifying the palpitations that Chigiri felt.
"—Make me fall in love with you, Chigiri. Can you?"
And the universe might remain that way for a long time.