Archive of Our Own ^beta

”You’re pretty ugly up close.”

The words somehow gets imprinted on Melt’s braincells, squandering any other stuff inside his head. He had them, every single day worth to live and yet, those words weren’t the only ones to stay ever living inside him, on the contrary, everything about Aqua’s overall gets imprinted inside his head.

His acting ability, and just how much of the talented actor that truly managed to changed his perspective of acting, leaves him in awe and amazed.

Well of course, that left Melt wandering in confusion as well. Due to their lack of interactions, Aqua and Melt should’ve questioned each other’s capabilities, instead, Aqua managed to make him fall over a single sentence that possibly changed his life forever, regardless of how they just get to learn about each other’s identities within half of the day.

Normally, it took a pair a week or two to get to know each other better and get along, to say at least, yet Melt stood there, with Aqua’s demeanor showing him as if he had known him for such a long time, much to caught Melt off-guard.

He was impressed by Aqua’s ability. Not only that he has the looks for the entertainment world, and how much Aqua looks like as if he was born to act, but from what Melt perceived, Aqua had always been way better in any aspects, compared to Melt.

Therefore, it is undoubtedly clear that Melt admired Aqua ever since their first assembly. He’s amazing.. he’s really amazing..

I wonder, if i’ll ever catch up with him and his talents..

Melt, however, didn’t have that much time to interact with Aqua during ‘Sweet Today’, nor did he could spend a little bit longer hanging out with Aqua on ‘Tokyo Blade’, as their characters didn’t actually interact with one another. Melt ever wished that the character Touki and Kizami would’ve interacted so he could possibly rehearse with Aqua, nonetheless, that’s just how it is.

And again, the same happened to ‘15-years-of-lie’. Aqua had ever mentioned to the worldwide that both him and Ruby can finally be acknowledged as for Ai’s illegitimate children, and as for the script of the play itself, Melt find it heavy to study on. Aqua’s poignancy, and inconsolable wound, getting poured into a single script of play.

It must’ve been tough for the Hoshino twins, Melt thought.

Nonetheless, their roles hadn’t interacted either, which left him into the assumptions of not rehearsing with Aqua, will be repeated once again. Their fate is surely cruel, to say at least.

Though at some moment, Melt would ask Aqua if he were confused about a thing or two, since Aqua is the co-writter of the script, and of course, since the play is about his mother. He would asked Aqua whenever they had a free time, or during break on rehearsals.

Even so, it wasn’t enough for Melt to study some more about Aqua. The only thing matters to him, was to observe Aqua some more, picking up some good little details about Aqua would work fine as well. Nonetheless, they barely even had some deep conversations with one another, or most likely, not at all. They remained castmates most of the time being.

That leaves Melt craving for Aqua in his life some more.

He wanted Aqua to stay during his lifetime. Nonetheless, he couldn’t possibly help but watching him from over several of social media, since Aqua maintains his acting career, so of course he would appear on screen as much.

He pleaded, he pleaded wholeheartedly for Aqua’s comeback moment in his life.

People occasionally came out of nowhere, drawing you in, and to your least expectations, they became one of the main character in your life. That’s exactly the kind of experience Melt is in. Aqua came out of nowhere and became somewhat an important individual for him.

Aqua, Aqua, it’s always Aqua.

Just what kind of charm he possesses in order to draw everyone in? Melt countlessly tried to figure it out, but of course it’s undoubtedly driving him over nothing but misfortune. How unfortunate.

Why does Aqua felt so special to him? Melt hadn’t had the slightest clue at the moment being.

During those days of performing, Aqua had appeared to be the only one to ever mentioned that Melt is a ‘hardworking’ person, aside from Masaya Kaburagi. During those days, too, was when Aqua smiled at him, oftentimes to be phrased. A smile that was meant for Melt, and Melt only, even when the both of them would’ve never realized it. The smile he gave felt so sincere, it’s as if Aqua had some sort of soft spot Melt wished he’d knew.

And as for that, Melt couldn’t even understand himself.

He couldn’t understand the kind of feelings he developed towards Aqua,

Was it platonic? Or was it actually romantic?

No way. That couldn’t be. Melt tried to shrug those thoughts off as he felt somewhat weird to develop those kinds of feelings towards some teenager that’re apparently to be in the same age as him, sharing the same gender, with different mental age.

Honestly, Melt couldn’t help but think. What if Aqua figured out that Melt thought of him that way? What would he say and how would he react to it? or rather, how does Aqua felt towards Melt?

He didn’t understand a thing about the other’s perspective. Then again, it all caused by the lack of interactions between the two. Melt, for like countless of times appeared to beg the gods for more time to spend with Aqua. Seems like Aqua really is a special individual for him, don’t you think?

Every so often he couldn’t get Aqua off his thoughts, Aqua kept occupying his mind, time and time again. Melt tried but he couldn’t get his mind off that blonde haired boy. The more he tried to pull Aqua out of the way, the more Aqua occupies his thoughts even more than how it was before, it’s as if Aqua is somewhat a ghost lingering on Melt’s surroundings.

And that’s just how it is. What a simp.

Aqua.. stop occupying my thoughts.. He told himself, ordering his silly little brain to stop thinking about Aqua and leave him in peace,

“Melt?”

Aqua.. and again, Aqua traversed across his mind, freely.

“Melt-kun? Hello?”

Yet he couldn’t stop thinking about Aqua, My fucking god, Aqua just leave my mind already. Time and time again, he kept repeating his thoughts.

“EARTH TO MELT NARUSHIMA, ARE YOU DEAF?!” Holy shit.

There stood Kana in front of him, waving her hands up close to Melt’s pretty face. Melt was snapped back to reality, finally getting freed from his thoughts of Aqua that has been occurred repeatedly. That said, Kana gazed at him with a concerned look, raising an eyebrow at him. “Are you lost in your thoughts? I’ve been calling you out for a good 5 minutes.” Oh, oops.

“Sorta.. Sorry for keeping you on a pointless waiting.” Melt rubs the back of his temple, stuttering out his statements. Kana rolled her eyes, as she fold her arms, starring at Melt. “Sigh, i don’t mind too much. What’s been on your mind lately?” Melt didn’t dare to spit a word out, he knew for sure he’ll definitely get teased if Kana ever figured out that Melt had always thought of Aqua.

Well of course, that’d be embarrassing as hell. Kana seemed to be close with Aqua, as they oftentimes went to some places as a pair. At least, that’s what Melt learned from their arrival on the Sweet Today’s filming set. What if Kana came to the conclusion that Melt has a crush on Aqua?

Isn’t that the truth? Not his mind messing with his head again. “Oh my god, shut up!!” Melt didn’t notice that he spitted out the recent words in front of Kana, who has been waiting for his answer in forever. However, Kana misunderstood the fact that Melt was trying to shut his mind up, not to shut her up.

“What? What the hell, Melt?” Kana stated out, as she went to sat adjacently with Melt. “N-No Kana, don’t get me wrong! It was an accident, my bad.”

Kana patted her forehead, while shooking her head. She sighed. “Seriously, What is up with you? You seemed to had a lot in mind, like a massive ones to deal with.” Kana stated, as she offers him a glass of juice she had been preparing throughout Melt’s train of thoughts about Aqua. “I’m all ears if you need to talk. Don’t hesitate to spit them out, c’mon.” Kana proceeds. “We’re friends after all.”

Melt’s stomach dropped. He of course had a lot in mind, the ones he couldn’t tell Kana about. He had an intense amount of amalgamated feelings, restrained in his stomach. “It’s okay, don’t mind me. It’s nothing to worry about, really.” Melt hesitates to talk about it to Kana.

Well of course, since he ‘definitely did not’ have a crush on Aqua and would definitely not admit it. Definitely not. Melt knew he couldn’t dodge his feelings anymore, but as if Aqua would ever care about the kind of feelings Melt developed towards Aqua.

Melt knew all along, there would be no way Aqua could possibly reciprocate his feelings.

Melt fell into a one-sided admiration all alone, well, at least that’s what he thought of himself.

Melt admired Aqua. No. It should’ve been phrased as ‘Melt likes Aqua’ as it felt more precise. Melt Narushima likes Aquamarine Hoshino of all people, unexpectedly. Even so, Melt still had a hard time trying to figure the things between him and his head out, as his mind kept on cherishing Aqua to the surface, but he himself had always tried to deny it, time and time again. Having to possess a silly little crush over someone he barely even spend time with seems to bother him a lot.

He didn’t seemed to favor the fact that he abruptly began to had that extensive train of thoughts about Aqua, yet the habit remained since Sweet Today’s last episode. Well of course, having to maintain someone you barely even interact with inside your head felt somewhat bizarre. People often called it as ‘Love at first sight’ yet, Melt refused to pinpoint it further.

It’s fatiguing. Instead of allowing Aqua to dwell inside his head entirely, he longed to converge with Aqua himself. Having to kept someone in your mind felt somewhat creepy, what if you ended up thinking about something exotic related to whoever inside your head that moment?

What if Aqua leaned in and kissed you when you both met each other? What would you do? and by that, Melt subconsciously bash his face out, much to Kana’s dismay who had been sitting alongside him all along. That’s quite embarrassing.

“Bro? What the— are you alright?! What’s with you and slapping your own face?!” Kana stated out with a concerned tone. It’s unlike Kana would care less about how Melt bash his face out of nowhere, so of course she had to at least upgrade her tone while stating that out. “Don’t worry, i’m fine. You don’t have to poorly became an ear rapper.” Melt replied, covering both of his ears whilst on his current statement. “I don’t think you’re fine, you should tell me what happened, NOW.” Kana seemed to be so stern with her words, yet Melt still tried to hesitate. “No.”

“Tell me.”

“No.”

“Tell me, now.”

“I said no.”

“Melt, don’t play with me like this. Say it.”

“No, no, no.”

“You freak. Tell me.”

“I don’t wanna..”

“Melt.”

“No.”

“MELT! STOP ‘NO’-ING ME AND BE FRANK WITH YOUR BOTHERSOME THOUGHTS!”

“What the hell, fine.” and by that, Melt gave up to Kana. After all, Kana wouldn’t stop till she gets an answer for her curiosity. Melt knew this gonna turned out horrible, like exceptionally horrible. “I’ll tell you everything, are you happy now..” and by that, Kana clapped her hands in excitement and sat across Melt’s direction. “Alright, tell me.” Kana told him, ordering him to start the current interesting topic of conversation.

Melt sighed, he wasn’t sure of where to start off. “Well, have you ever thought of.. abruptly started thinking about something, or..” He let out another sigh, “someone, specifically, who came out of nowhere and traversing across your mind over the littlest thing they did when they first saw you?” Melt proceeds. “Well i’m.. quite.. i don’t know, overdoing it sometimes? It wouldn’t leave me be.” Kana twitch an eyebrow, trying to function properly as she attempted to digest Melt’s sentences. “Someone? Came out of nowhere and to your surprise, they’ve drawn the interest out of you, is that it?” Kana gazed over towards Melt, as Melt nodded slightly. Kana hummed, “Felt somewhat familiar of a case..” Kana stated out, placing her thumb on her chin.

“Say, was that aforementioned ‘someone’ is directed to.. Aqua?”

Melt’s breath hitched. His eyes widened as his pupils shrunk to the maximum, he turned his gaze over to Kana. “Wh— How did you—“ Melt was too stunned to speak. Kana gazed towards him, as a smirk grew wider on her face. “Oho, you expect me not to guess it out? The looks on your face demonstrated your inner monologues, you know?” Was it really that explicit to conject? Melt is still too stunned to state a word out, the sentence fell heavily restrained in his throat, much to offer him cold sweats as it streamed down his face.

“Well, truly, based on what you’ve stated out, it was quite easy to tell that you’re obscurely mentioning Aqua. Like, what? Isn’t i’m the one who brought Aqua to your life? I’d be dumb to say if i didn’t realize your point.” Kana said, smirk won’t leave her face as she leaned over to Melt’s side, causing Melt to bend over to his left direction slightly as well, avoiding eye contact with Kana. He was embarrassed, truly embarrassed by how Kana figured his thoughts out in a speed of light. She’s wasn’t mistaken, it was Kana who appeared to become their ‘wing woman’ in the first place, and Melt was sure as hell that’s what it is.

“You know what, i think you’re just in love with Aqua. Why not try confessing?” Kana suggested him, and it was enough to summon the blush out of Melt’s cheeks. “I-I’m not in love with him!” Then again, Melt tries to hesitate. “Shut up! I know what you are.” Kana said in order to shut him up. She’s right, she definitely knows what he is. Giving the thought of how Melt knew damn well that things are gonna get worsen if he tries to hesitate some more, he gave up instead.

“Okay, fine.” Melt blurted out his white flag of surrender. “Good boy~” Kana teased the hell out of him, much to Melt’s concern. Seriously, what is up with her?! Melt thought. “You should confess to Aqua, i’ll help you out.” Kana said, as she pulled her phone out of her pocket with the intention to dial Aqua and tell him everything. Melt was shocked. “What the fuck, are you out of your mind?! There’s no way i’m being all overt about my feelings towards him.” Melt interrupted her, as he slowly withhold Kana from dialing Aqua, nonetheless, Kana pulled her hands away.

“Look, if you didn’t tell him anything, you’ll definitely torn your own heart if he ended up with anyone else. The least i could suggest you is to tell him how you feel, what’s so difficult about that?” Melt understands her point being, of course he did, but to came to the point where he should confess to Aqua, he wasn’t plenty sure of whether to agree or to do the opposite of agreeing. Regardless, who wasn’t scared of confessing to their crush anyway?

It’s like hell on earth which could possibly incinerate your overall being.

Melt felt embarrassed as hell of the topic he had with Kana. He felt as if he was about to dissolve to thin air, disappearing from the world’s sight to eternity. Nonetheless, deep inside his heart, he longed to face Aqua once again. “Well you didn’t have to go so far on considering to dial him and expose this shit over the phone yourself..” Melt stated out, being in complete misery at how he is at the moment being. “You could just, offer me his line.” That said, Kana blinked at him twice. “So you could meet him in person and finally confess to him? Good point.” Kana said as she scroll over her phone, searching for Aqua’s contact. “I’m not going to do that.”

Well, Kana has a point back there. What if i ended up regretting my decision?

He pondered, over and over again. Until realization hits him,

But hold on, isn’t he in a relationship with Akane Kurokawa?

“I thought Aqua is dating Kurokawa.. Isn’t it?” Melt pointed out his question towards Kana, to which Kana replied with, “What do you mean? Akane is dating me.” Oh. So, she’s advocating the lesbianism.. The fact that Kana dated Akane somehow poke the relief out of Melt, as it leaves him with the assumption of Aqua being single at the moment.

I guess there’s no harm in trying.. He thought. Will he make his first move?

“Alright, here’s Aqua’s number. Make sure to keep me in touch with your progress with Aqua. Hehe~” Then again, Kana teased him. Regardless of what Kana had to say, Melt took his phone out and add Aqua’s number. Perhaps, he should make a move, no matter how much he hated to see the consequences, or how the other felt about him, he felt that he had to do so anyway.

This time, i’m not allowing you to occupy my mind, but my heart.

I’m gonna shower you with affection, as much as i’m capable with.

I’m gonna make you love me, Aqua.

And so that’s how he build the intention of trying to confess to Aqua. It’s not that he despised the fact that Kana’s words gets him pondering over his decision, as a matter of fact, he’s not liking the idea of regretting his decision afterwards. Melt has been keeping Aqua’s number for over an hour, after Kana apologized to him, telling him that she had to leave for a date with Akane. And for how pathetic he is, he stared at Aqua’s line, not knowing where to lay the first foundation stone for their interaction.

What should i text him with.. Melt thought, Perhaps a ‘hello’ would be nice? He said, as he about to text a greeting message to Aqua’s chat. But then, thoughts controlled him as he pondered over and over again, to be greeted with nothing but for him to refrained. What if he’s busy.. He gave it a thought some more.

“Look, if you didn’t tell him anything, you’ll definitely torn your own heart if he ended up with anyone else.”

The words Kana blurted out earlier kept traversing around his head, enough to squander his mind off the trail. Melt groaned, “Guess i had no choice,” and then he came prepared to text Aqua with some hello greetings, et cetera. So he typed the first message.

Melt : Hi Aqua

And so he waited for a response to his message. Melt, for some reason, finds that his heartbeat is quickening, as he felt nervous of what Aqua had to say in response. He waited, for like a couple of minutes, till the notification from his phone rang.

Aqua : hi?

The question mark surely quicken his heartbeat even more, What if this conversation flops... He seemed to had a lot to deal with inside his head. He tried to scream but he couldn’t spoke a word out, leaving him no choice but to type back an answer to Aqua.

Melt : Hey, how are you??
Aqua : good
Melt : I’m glad to hear that.

Melt felt an even intense of nervousness tingling inside his fragile body. He still couldn’t get rid of his overthinks and stuff that has been causing him to nothing but an even intense fear and a slight desperation. It's not that he's all weak about texting anyone, it'd be funny to say, it's just different case happened which is Aqua. Then again, of course, who wouldn't be oh so nervous to text their crush? Definitely not Melt.

Aqua : who's this

The question hit hard, but he tried to calm himself down, like why the fuck he must be that nervous? Aqua was just asking who in the world would text him at 4 pm, when they're not included in Aqua's contact book at all. Of course, he just had to reply him, saying that it's him, Melt Narushima. What could possibly go wrong?

It terrified me the most if i ever bothered him, or rather, if he somewhat disliked the idea of me texting him. Who knows, he could've been busy, He practically doubted himself, nonetheless, he replied to Aqua. He couldn't dodge the fact that his fingers did quivered, though.

Melt : It's me, Melt Narushima, do you happened to remember me?
Melt : Sorry if i were to interrupt you in any way.

Then again, Melt waited for another response. The only thing he could plead at the moment being is for this conversation to ended up in succeed, meaning that Aqua wouldn't mind talking with Melt and their conversation will went smooth-sailing. And just as he finished supplicating, Aqua replied,

Aqua : oh hii, how are you?

Sorry if i were to interrupt you in any way.

Aqua : no, you didn't. what's up?

The way Aqua responded to his message warmly somehow lifted a massive amount of weight from Melt's chest. In the current Melt's perspective, Aqua's way of replying his text seemed to become a lot warmer than before after learning the fact that Melt was the one to appear to text him. That somewhat made Melt feels safe, perhaps their conversation will went smooth-sailing after all.

oh hii, how are you?

Melt : Hiiiiii omg i'm doing pretty well thank youu

no, you didn't. what's up?

Melt : Ooooh i'm glad i wasn't disturbing you
Melt : Nothing much, i asked Kana if i could have your number. Not by any shabby means, i just wanted to greet youu
Aqua : ohh i see.. i'm glad we could talk to one another again
Melt : Me too!

Me too, Aqua, me too.. Did Aqua really just said that he's glad to talk with Melt again after for like a decade? That somehow caught Melt off-guard, enough to made him flustered. Little did Aqua knew, that behind the screen, Melt has been flattered furiously as a blush formed in his face. He seemed to be tremendously in love with Aqua.

Well, he is certainly, considering the cause of him texting Aqua was because of that reasoning, to begin with. Although his real intention was to become closer to Aqua, precisely, to become a close friend, till the day comes when he would definitely confess to him. He doesn't want this opportunity to get erased out of existence.

He won't let Aqua getting instigated to fall in love with anyone else but him and him alone.

Long story short, Aqua and Melt kept texting each other for about 3 hours, in which Melt kept chattering, and how he recounts his life and how much he had been dealing with throughout his life to Aqua, to which Aqua recited carefully, showering Melt with some advices that’re plenty beneficial for Melt’s life according to him. Well of course, due to how he spent most of his life as an adult back on his previous life, he had way more experience on life, far better than Melt. So that’s what Aqua did, and Melt listened carefully and took those advices to heart, just like what he did back on Tokyo Blade.

Aqua kept giving him plenty handy advices, to which Melt listened carefully and followed what he had ordered. It’s somewhat felt pretty common for the both of them, felt as if it was meant to be their habit.

Perhaps everything will be fine between the two of them.

“Onii-chan! When are you gonna exit your room?! Dinner’s gonna froze soon, you know?!” Ruby, from what it seems to be exclaiming towards Aqua from the dining room. She’s hella upset knowing that it has been a good 10 minutes ever since she’s all set preparing the dinner for both her and her twin brother, yet Aqua hasn’t came out of his room yet, even when she has been screaming his name out the entire time. Ruby waited once again, folding her hands and tapping her foot furiously, waiting for Aqua’s arrival, yet Aqua never came out. “Ugh, i’m coming upstairs, Aqua!” She said, groaning as she went upstairs with lurking intention.

Dinner’s gonna get cold soon, what the hell is he doing now?!

As she went upstairs, stood in front of Aqua’s room and knock the door for like 10 knocks, yet her brother never came out. “What the hell— Onii-chan!” She groaned, as she harshly slammed Aqua’s door, in which the door felt as if it might crumble to pieces. There stood Aqua, with his phone, and from the looks of it, Aqua seemed to be in the middle of texting someone. He was surprised when Ruby slammed his door, as he gaze over his twin sister, who exhibited a distempered looks hanging on her face.

“Aqua, what the hell? Do you even hear me?! I said, dinner’s ready and it’s gonna froze soon if we never ate them.” Ruby stepped forward, approaching Aqua with a furious tone. “Sorry,” was the only thing that escaped Aqua’s lips, as he turn his gaze back to his phone, getting fixated towards it. He continued texting the person he was texting all day long, which is Melt.

“Wh— Seriously? Are you gonna tag along for dinner or rather staying here texting whoever you’re texting with?” Ruby asked him, she looks plenty upset about it. As she leaned over to Aqua, tryna pick up on whoever Aqua’s texting with. Unfortunately, Aqua pulled his phone away, much to Ruby’s confusion. “Who’s that? I wanna see.” She said, leaning in again trying to peek on Aqua’s phone due to her curiosity. Aqua, with the attempt of pushing her away, replied her with, “It’s none of your business.”

Ruby pouted, but then she blinked at Aqua twice, as her eye twitched, widened in surprise. “Onii-chan..” She said, half-whispering as Aqua looked over to her with a somewhat confused look on his face. “Is that... YOUR NEW GIRLFRIEND?!” She said, from a half-whisper to a severe yell. Aqua pointed a finger out, placing it in front of her lips in attempt to shut her up. Aqua hissed, “Shut up, Ruby.” She was surprised, knowing that Aqua has been texting someone throughout the day, she came to the conclusion that Aqua has a new girlfriend in order to replace Akane.

“So this is what you’ve been doing all along, huh?? Texting with a new girlfriend??” Ruby spitted out her thoughts, which’s not exactly what he had been doing. It’s not his ‘girlfriend’ after all, to say at least. It’s better to rephrase it as his ‘future boyfriend’ instead.

You can’t possibly label Melt Narushima as for my girlfriend, he’s not even a girl.. Aqua thought, as he sighed and shook his head. “I don’t have a new girlfriend,” was what Aqua said in response to Ruby’s question. “Well then who was that? You wouldn’t be oh so terrified to allow me to peek inside your conversation with that person if they weren’t any special individual to begin with, isn’t it?” Hearing it makes Aqua pondered. It made him questioned himself,

Was he really that special for me to spend the rest of my day texting with him?

Well, he wouldn’t unless of course Melt is a special somebody to him, thus he can’t pull his gaze off his phone and kept texting. Is Melt really that special for him as well?

“Hey.” Ruby waved her right hand in front of Aqua’s face, who had been lost in his thoughts for like a couple of seconds, and snapped her finger. “Onii-chan! Are you even listening?!” Ruby said, immensely confused at the other’s being. Onii-chan seems to had a lot in mind.. Did i bother him in any way.. Ruby thought, as she snapped in front of Aqua’s face once again, much to poke him out from his daydream, back to reality. “Yeah?”

Ruby released a heavy sigh, “Onii-chan, you seemed to had a lot in mind..” She said, interfering with Aqua’s inner thoughts. “You know what, i’ll head first. You’re free to tag along whenever you like. In case your meal gets cold, i’ll heat it up for you if you liked the idea of me heating it up later on.” Ruby said with nothing but quite much of disappointment analyzed on her face. Looking at how Ruby looked like she’s quite up sad having to miss another dinner with her precious twin brother, Aqua pondered a moment. He tries putting his thoughts aside for a while, enough to reply Ruby with, “Don’t worry about me, let’s have our dinner,” in order to cheer his sister up.

Hearing it was enough to repatriate Ruby’s smile and joyful vibes. “Yay! I’m so happy we don’t have to miss another dinner together, Aqua.” She said, as she grabbed her brother’s wrist, and drag him downstairs towards the dining table, to which Aqua let her be and followed along. Perhaps, i’ll provide another time for Melt Narushima to occupy them.

An hour had passed, yet Melt hasn’t received any reply from Aqua. He was asking whether Aqua would like the idea of him dialing Aqua, so they could talk to one another more efficiently. Due to texting each other consumed all his energy reserved, Melt thought of doing a call with Aqua instead. Yet, an hour surpassed and no replies from Aqua to be acknowledged. Melt held his breath, “What if.. he’s somehow irritated with me texting him..” He frowned, seemingly to fell into desperation, thinking that Aqua might be cranky about it. And so, he lay himself in his bed, with his gaze still fixated to his screen. For a couple of minutes, till when he actually gets tired and was about to shut his phone off, a notification appeared. Melt was slightly shocked as he jumped off and sat on his bed, opening the notification.

Aqua replied to his message, “Sure. We can do a call if you like.”

Reciting it was enough to build Melt’s courage, as he subconsciously hits the call button at the speed of light. Just after a couple of seconds, Aqua picked it up. “Hi” Aqua greeted him across the phone. “Hey Aqua.. I was wondering why must it took you so long to respond..” He said, seemingly confused to whatever happened with the other’s fettle. “Sorry.. Ruby asked me for dinner so i had to tag along. She doesn’t like it when we miss a dinner together.” Hearing it was enough to approach Melt to understanding the reason for Aqua’s inactivity for the past one hour. “Ohh, got it. I thought you were ignoring me, haha..” He chuckled nervously, “It’s must be fun to have a sibling you could spend dinner with..” He proceeds, as he let out a sigh. “Yeah i supposed. You don’t have any?” Aqua asked him, genuinely surprised that Melt didn’t actually have a sibling.

“Not really.” He said, to which Aqua came to the conclusion that Melt’s tone went raspy all of the sudden. “I’m sorry to hear that.. What about your parents?” Aqua threw another question towards him over the phone. Melt let out another sigh, “They haven’t been home for ages due to overseas job and companies. Had no idea how they are now.” Melt simply replied, much to poke the concern out of Aqua, even when Melt didn’t realize it, since their conversation are merely over the phone. "Where did they went off to for works?" Aqua asked him, to which Melt replied with, "South Korea, well on Seoul specifically. It's their main location. Nevertheless, i practically don't know much about whether they also had to book a flight somewhere else to begin with." Melt explained, Aqua hummed, as he replied with, “Oh alright,” and it was the only thing to left Aqua’s lips.

Melt pondered on what they had to conversate about next, since he actually had no idea what to talk about anymore. Their topic had all surceased during their approximately six hours of texting with each other. Melt had no clue, until he come up with a silly idea. “Hey Aqua, do you want to hangout tommorow? You know, if you have some time of course.” He asked him, much to pique Aqua’s interest, even when he never realized it. “Hmm.. Hold on, let me check my schedule for tommorow.” Aqua said, as he went checking his schedule on his bedroom desk. It seems like he had nothing necessary to attend to tommorow. “Alright, i’m free. We could hangout tommorow.” Aqua said, much to Melt’s excitement. “Yay! Thanks Aqua. I’ll dm you the location and time for our date tommorow.”

Date? Aqua’s eyes widened, he was a little surprised at the current statement coming out from Melt.

“A date?” Aqua asked him, as he lightly blushed, pursing his lips and twitching his eyebrows, without Melt realizing it. Hearing it was enough to punch the realization out of Melt. He definitely didn’t meant anything like it. Melt furiously blushed, knowing how Aqua payed attention at what he accidentally said. “Wh— I-I mean h-hangout! Yes, hangout!” Melt chuckled nervously. He patted his forehead furiously, OH MY GOD, WHAT DID I JUST SAID TO HIM?!

Hearing it, Aqua smiled behind the screen. “Okay..” Melt was still pretty embarrassed, he didn’t state a word out, till Aqua proceeds with, “It’s bedtime already. You should go to sleep.” Aqua said, checking the time as it shows 9 PM. Melt was shocked, he once again chuckled nervously, “A-Ah yeah right! I’ll go to sleep, don’t wanna miss our d- Hangout tommorow!” He told Aqua. “You should sleep as well.” Melt proceeds, to which Aqua replied with, “I will.”

“Good night.” “Good night, Aqua.” And that’s where they hang up, each laying on their own beds in order to caught some sleep. A hangout, huh? I thought ‘date’ was a much better word to phrase it.. Aqua smiled at the thought, letting his whacked pair of eyes to shut close, and his tired body to fall asleep.

Tommorow’s gonna be a long ‘date’ for them.

“Ruby, i’ll be heading out now.” Aqua said, as he tie his shoelaces, and tote his bagpack on his shoulder. Ruby, from what is seems to had zero idea of Aqua’s plan for that day, reached out to him. “Why so early..” Ruby stated out, rubbing one of her eyes due to how she just woke up. “Where are you going?” She asked him, raising an eyebrow, both arms folded underneath her chest. Aqua plug one of his earphones in his left ear, and went replying to Ruby’s question with, “I’m going to meet someone.”

Ruby was slightly confused, as she proceeds to throw more question towards Aqua’s direction. “Someone?” Ruby pondered for a moment. “Was that aforementioned ‘someone’ as of the person you’ve been texting the whole entire yesterday being?” Hearing at Ruby’s statement, Aqua turned his gaze towards her. “I guess you could say that.” Ruby was quite surprised hearing it coming out from her twin brother. She’s been keeping the assumption of Aqua having a new girlfriend was the case, while truly it wasn’t the instance, to say at least.

“Your new girlfriend, right?” Again with the teasing Ruby spitted out directly towards Aqua. “It’s not.” Aqua simply replied to her, making his way to the exit door. “I’m heading out now.” Ruby wasn’t amused with Aqua’s answer. She just wanted to know the person her brother has been so fond of to, at least in her perspective. Well of course, due to being his sister, she possessed an immense amount of curiosity towards his brother’s life, even when Aqua never allowed her to mind his business and simply suggest her to mind her own being, yet she cared less, breaking through her brother’s prohibition, even when it means interfering with something she wasn’t supposed to do.

“Wait!” Ruby gestured as fast as she could to restrain Aqua from escaping their exit door. Due to her unavoidable curiosity, she asked him once more, “Who’s that person? Please tell me..” And again, Aqua spitted out another hesitation attempt to answer her interference. “It’s none of your business..” Aqua tried to pull Ruby’s hand away from restraining him to exit the door, with Ruby holding his right arm. “No, tell me, Onii-chan!” Aqua ignored, to which Ruby called him again, much to Aqua’s exasperation. “Hey! Aqua!” and again, Aqua ignored him. Looking at how Aqua groans slightly, leaves Ruby no choice but to call him out with his previous name.

“Gorou-sensei! Tell me, now!” She yelled at him. Aqua gazed at her confusedly, not knowing how to deal with his sister, or rather, his ex-patient. Nonetheless, Ruby seemed to poke the white flag out of Aqua, as he admit defeat, leading Ruby to victory after all her interferences. Aqua rolled his eyes, as he replied her with, “Okay, fine, Sarina-chan.” Hearing it amuses Ruby much to repatriate her smile once again. “It’s not my girlfriend, it’s just.. Melt.” Ruby was half-surprised hearing that the person Aqua mentioned did not meet any of her expectations earlier. “Melt?” Ruby blinked twice, reassuring the answer Aqua threw penetrating her eardrums. “Yeah.”

So it was him.. I guess Onii-chan merely succeeded on making a new friend. Ruby thought, feeling ashamed of how she accused Aqua earlier, and of course how much of her interferences means nothing too much for her to receive the kind of answer that doesn’t vibrate in a way her expectations flow. “Huh, I guess it’s fine for you boys to spend some time together.. Great work on making a new friend, Aqua.” Ruby complimented him, to which Aqua hummed in response. “Now i’m off.” Aqua said, leaving their exit door as he watches Ruby waved at him, signaling a farewell.

And that’s how he escaped Ruby in order to attend the ‘hangout’ they’ve planned together, both him and Melt.

Due to how Aqua fell asleep earlier that night, he eventually went to check Melt’s message early on 6 AM. There was the location Melt addresses and the specific time for their hangout. Although, Melt has sent them that night while he fell asleep, and so Aqua apologized for being late in response, to which Melt didn’t mind at all. Aqua followed along, as he went out using his motorcycle, driving towards the location Melt had ordered him to emerge there and then. A soft morning breeze, along with a warm sun rays all the way, decorating his road trip. Since it’s nearly 8 AM, Aqua assumed that Melt drags him out for breakfast first of all things, which makes sense why Melt invited him to converge at a restaurant.

The restaurant Melt had addressed to Aqua was a restaurant called 'Hiroo Onogi', in which it was located on 5-8-1 Hiro, 2F Barbizon 22, Hiroo, Shibuya 150-0012, Tokyo Perfecture. Aqua pondered for a moment while he received the location, Melt surely had been planning for this hangout to went smooth-sailing, as for him, Hiroo Onogi is one of the best restaurants there on Shibuya city, Tokyo.

Just as when he arrived at the restaurant, Aqua took his helmet off and scanned the environment. Nonetheless, Aqua didn’t seemed to be able to spot him anywhere, to which Aqua pulled his phone out, he tend to dial Melt in case if he’s probably late. “I think he hasn’t arrived yet,” Aqua told himself, as he dialed Melt’s number and wait for him to pick it up.

Although, little did Aqua knew, while he was trying to dial the other, there stood Melt behind him, approaching him without any realization from Aqua. He’s wearing a mask, and a hat for some reason, much to make Aqua failed to spot him either. “Hey Aqua, i’m here.” He said, tapping Aqua’s shoulder from behind. Aqua quickly turned his gaze around in order to contemplate whoever the ones tapping his shoulder, and put his phone down. “Oh, Melt.. My bad.” He said, as he made his way down from his motorcycle, waving at Melt, to which he reciprocate the wave.

“Sorry for the mask and everything, fans could’ve analyzed my existence. I don’t wanna get crowded at the moment being.” He apologized, rubbing the back of his neck. The statement coming out from him somewhat poke the interest out of Aqua, in which Aqua replied him with, “I got it. You seemed to be that well known lately.” He said in response, while the both of them walked their path towards the restaurant’s entry door. Melt giggled nervously, hearing Aqua’s statement about him being that well known lately. “Y-You really think so?” Melt was wearing a mask, so of course Aqua wouldn’t see how his cheeks flushed pink, meaning that he’s flattered about it. “Yeah.” Aqua simply replied with a smile on his face.

Honestly, his giggles are pretty cute, Aqua thought, as he inserted his hand inside his hoodie pocket, walking alongside Melt, as they enter the restaurant.

The restaurant was quite humongous. Since it’s quite early in the morning, there aren’t that much people filling the seats. “C’mon, i’ve placed a reservation under Narushima.” Melt, from what it seems to not noticed as he grabbed Aqua’s right hand and drag him down to their seat. Aqua, without any hesitation, followed along. He took a moment to observe how Melt drags him by pulling his hand, meaning that they’re currently holding each other’s hands. The sudden action Melt just did somehow made Aqua felt warm and cozy inside, even when he doesn’t show his emotions that much.

They arrived at the seat that has been reserved for their first activity of the day, and so Melt ordered Aqua to settle down, as well as he sat across Aqua’s direction. Melt unmasked himself and took his hat off, “Why’s the temperature so hot today..” He mumbled, appearing to be pathetic as hell because of the hot temperature, at least for him. Aqua sighed, “It’s because you’re wearing a mask earlier.” He said, pulling out his handkerchief off his pocket and offer it to Melt. “Here.” Melt was quite surprised, as his cheeks grew a little hotter, gently accepting the offer as he took Aqua’s handkerchief from his hand, “Thank you.” Melt thanked him, as he wiped his sweats off his forehead. Melt is genuinely flustered at Aqua’s little action towards him, and it was obvious enough for him to even conceal the fact that he gets all flattered about it, won’t budge.

Long story short, they ordered based on the menu the waitress had tossed it to them, as Aqua ordered a cup of coffee, and as for his breakfast menu, he ordered a bowl of rice accompanied with miso soup and grilled fish. It was the most typical breakfast to be having on Tokyo after all. “You.. really have an adult taste..” Melt twitched his eyes, as he spotted the coffee Aqua was about to sip. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Said someone who was a former doctor on his previous life. Nonetheless, Melt shrugs and smiled looking at how Aqua’s sipping his bitter coffee. He’s really mature.. He said, as he placed both of his hands underneath his cheeks. He seemed to be in love with the littlest thing Aqua did, without Aqua realizing it.

And as for Melt himself, he ordered a bowl of ramen for breakfast, and a grilled cheese sandwich. Looking at what Melt had ordered, Aqua tilted his head, as he twitched his brow in confusion. “You ate ramen for breakfast?” He asked Melt, seemingly to had a disbelief written on his eyes, it somewhat felt odd for Aqua. “Well, some people ate ramen for breakfast, you know? I’m one of them.” Hearing at what Melt had to say, Aqua hummed in response, signaling that he get the point being.

And as for that, Melt succeeded at his first step on getting to know Aqua. Dragging him down to hit breakfast together was nothing but an opportunity for Melt to get to know Aqua’s taste in meal and beverage. Having to pick up some details on how Aqua used his chopsticks, how he elegantly sipped his coffee, Melt was feeling quite delightful about it.

Just as they finished their breakfast, Aqua and Melt was all set and is preparing to leave their seat. Of course, since Melt was the one to invite Aqua for breakfast, he had to pay for their meal. And so, Melt went to the cashier. “The total will be 2486¥.” The cashier said, as he told Melt the total amount of cash he should pay. “Let me see.” Melt pulled his wallet out in order to pay with cash, and that’s when Aqua came in and interrupted him.

“Allow me. I’ll pay by suika.” Aqua pulled his card out and scanned it right on the suika scanning feature. And just like that, Aqua payed for their meal, leaving Melt in shocked at what he just did. “Let’s go.” Aqua called Melt out, who had been starring at him in disbelief. Looking at how Aqua suddenly cut his line and payed for them, Melt blushed intensely.

D-Did he just payed the total 2486¥ all by himself?!

Melt walked alongside Aqua, making their way to exit the restaurant. He was still in shock and is still flustered at the sudden action Aqua did. Why did he do that.. Why is he so kind to me? Melt pressed his lips together, as he tend to be the first one to speak between the two, “Y-You really didn’t have to do that.. I was the one who invited you..” He said, avoiding eye contact with Aqua as he look away, much to avoid Aqua’s gaze. “Paying with suika is a much faster as well as a far more efficient way. Besides, it’ll took you a while to count for the cash payment, i don’t want to cause a line.” Aqua explained, to which Melt gets awestrucked by it. He did as if it was a fundamental knowledge.. He’s such a gentleman.. Melt thought, as the blush on his cheeks won’t leave him be.

"But.. Don't you think it's expensive?" Melt stuttered, throwing the question towards Aqua. "What do you mean? 2486¥ wasn't that expensive, you know?" as they arrived at the exact parking spot where Aqua's motorcycle is. Melt knew damn well it wasn't that expensive, it's just that he felt somewhat odd for the other to pay for their meal when he was the one to invite Aqua for a hangout. Just when Melt almost get lost in his thoughts, Aqua offered him a helmet. "Here. Where else do you planned to spend our date today?" Aqua said, as a smirk plestered on his face. Melt was startled by how Aqua spitted out the word 'date'.

"Wh-What the hell?!" Melt said, as he took the helmet from Aqua. Come to think of it, why did Aqua offer him a helmet? Melt pondered a bit, viewing the helmet up close, as if he never saw the damn thing ever before. As Aqua starts the engine, Melt asked him, "Hold on, you're saying we should ride together for the rest of the day?" Aside from getting overall lost in his thoughts, Melt knew that major amount of the nipponese wasn't the type of using motorcycle for a trip that much, yet Aqua came prepared using a motorcycle for their hangout.

Aqua gazed at him confusedly. What is up with this kid.. Aqua sighed. "Well, unless of course you planned to stay here forever and call this a day." Hearing it was enough to make Melt realized just how dumb he is by asking that sort of question. "Now hop on. Where should we go next?" Aqua ordered him to hop on his motorcycle, as they're preparing to depart from the current location to their next destination.

"Well, i don't know.." Melt said, as he wear his helmet. "Do you like the idea of going to the mall?" Melt proceeds, as he hoped on the passenger seat behind Aqua. "Yeah sure. Which one?" Aqua asked him, before he drift them off the parking lot. "Shinjuku Takashimaya." That said, Aqua liked the idea of visiting Shinjuku Takashimaya, as the aforementioned mall wasn't located that far. They should arrived at least for 23 minutes since it's only 5.7 km away from Hiroo Onogi.

And so they drifted off to the next location, Shinjuku Takashimaya. It's quite a well-known shopping center, as well as how crowded the current mall is, compared to Ginza Mitsukoshi, Shinjuku Takashimaya aren't less competitive either. And so Aqua parked his motorcycle at the parking lot, as both him and Melt made their way down and take their path to enter the humongous shopping center. "It's pretty crowded here.. Probably because it's Saturday." Aqua blurted out in slight exasperated tone. Looking at how Aqua felt a bit unamused, Melt can't help but thought, What if i fail to make Aqua enjoy this day?

"You don't seem like much of a people person.." Melt stated out, enough to make Aqua gazed upon him. "I'm sorry for dragging you out to such crowded place.." He apologized, while doing a somewhat pose of scratching his head. Aqua gazed at him concernedly, as he went to reply him with, "No, don't worry. It's fun as long as i'm with you." Aqua didn't like the idea of triggering Melt's self-doubt, nevertheless, Aqua did have some fun with Melt, although they're still on the early period, in which they haven't reached half of the day just yet.

Hearing at how Aqua mentioned that he had fun with Melt alongside him, Melt once again gets flustered, He wouldn't stop flirting, wouldn't he? He pondered as he gazed over to Aqua saying, "I'm glad you had some fun," with a joyful smile, flushed pink on his cheeks. Noticed how Melt seemed pleased, Aqua can't help but smile in return.

"Okay, so first, we'll head towards Meika Hyakusen." Melt said, checking his phone, and from what Aqua observed, Melt had the entire day planned on his notes. He's well prepared than i thought.. Aqua hummed. "You're into confectionery, aren't you?" Aqua asked him, due to how he mentioned that they will be heading to Meika Hyakusen of all places. Meika Hyakusen is like heaven of sweets, in which they sell all kinds of Japan’s confectionery in a single store. Melt had always loved to consume sweets, his parents oftentimes brought him to Meika Hyakusen whenever he craved for snacks.

Melt chuckled nervously, "Yeah.. Sorry you had to learn this ugly fact of me being all lavish when it comes to money." Honestly, Aqua did thought of Melt as a lavish kind of person, nonetheless, he didn't mind at all. "That's totally fine. Ruby is also the same." Hearing it made Melt felt relieved, given to know that Aqua is being used to lavish person such as him and Ruby. And so, the pair arrived at the confectionery store. The store wasn't that much of being crowded, much to both Aqua and Melt's relief.

"So, what kind of sweets do you like, Aqua?" Melt asked Aqua, while he scanned every rows where they've arranged the sweets. Aqua observed many kinds of sweets, although he wasn't the type to consume sweets that much. The last time Aqua ate them was when Ruby brought him some kind of tiny cakes called 'Hiyoko'. It's a chick shaped manju cake filled with bean paste and egg, wrapped with wheat flour. And as for Aqua, major parts of him enjoyed that sweet called 'Hiyoko'.

Aqua opened his mouth, with the intention to reply to Melt's inquiry. "I like Hiyoko." Hearing it was enough to widened Melt's eyes in surprise. "You like Hiyoko?! Oh my god, me too! It's so tasty, i could eat it forever." Melt replied to him, much to cause Aqua to giggle gently. "Really?" Aqua asked him, to which Melt hummed, signaling a 'Yes'. "C'mon, let's grab some of those Hiyoko for ourself!" He said, as he once again drag Aqua to where they placed those Hiyoko by the hand.

I don't mind holding his hand forever to be honest.. Aqua pondered, as he lightly blushed at the thought, even when he didn't realized it himself, and so does Melt, who has been dragging his hand towards their favorite sweets section.

And so they arrived. Melt grabbed himself two boxes of Hiyoko. It was perfectly wrapped with Takashimaya's special wrapper, in which the box is pentagon shaped, with a picture of the Shinjuku Takashimaya mall itself, and two little chicks decorating the case. "Grab as many as you wished, i'll pay for it." Melt ordered Aqua to grab as many as he likes, nonetheless, Aqua merely grabbed one, since he's not into confectionery as much. Each Hiyoko packs is filled with five little chick-shaped sweets inside, it was more than enough for him. After all, growing up on his previous life as Gorou, he doesn't consume sweets that much either. "Don't worry, a single box would do." He said, as he grabbed the Hiyoko for himself.

“Do you want anything else?” Melt asked Aqua, as he gazed over the Hiyoko box Aqua is currently holding. “No, thanks. I’m good.” Hearing it, Melt nodded. “I’m gonna grab a Mochi ice cream.” Melt ordered Aqua to wait there, as he we was about to went over the next row to grab a Mochi ice cream, Aqua nodded in agreement.

And so Melt came back with two Mochi ice creams in his hand, a chocolate and vanilla ones. He handed the vanilla over to Aqua, to which Aqua gazed at him confusedly. “Here. This one’s for you.” He said as he offer the vanilla mochi ice cream. Aqua kindly accepted the offer, as he took it from Melt’s hand, “Thank you..” Aqua said, as he placed it on top of his Hiyoko box. Melt smiled at how Aqua thanked him, as they both went to the cashier.

“Alright Aqua, listen. This time, i’ll pay.” Melt suddenly stated out, as he took his wallet out. Aqua gazed at him, “But—” as Aqua was about to hesitate, Melt cuts his speech. “Do not cut me off.” He said, pointing a finger at Aqua, a sign as if Melt somewhat threatened to put Aqua in jail if he ever payed for them this time. Melt wanted Aqua to get paid by him, not him to get paid by Aqua, after all, they’ve entered that mall because of Melt in the first place, or rather, they’re hanging out at the moment because of Melt dragging Aqua out for it.

It wasn’t Aqua’s idea, so Melt thought he should be the one to treat Aqua,

It wasn’t supposed to go the opposite.

“3 Hiyoko and 2 Mochi ice creams, that’d be 3000¥.” 3000¥?! For only these sweets?! Major part of Melt was shocked, learning the fact that their sweets costs a much bigger amount than their breakfast. “A-Are you sure?” Melt asked the cashier in order to reassure himself, as he stuttered the words out. “Yes.” was what the cashier lady simply replied, to which Melt gets startled by it.

Oh shit, do i even brought that much money.. Melt triple checked his wallet, unfortunately, the only amount of money he had brought along with him was 2500¥ and it won’t be enough for the both of them to survive for the entire day. Looking at how Melt felt sort of frustrated by his poor wallet being, in which he hated to admit to Aqua that he didn’t came prepared that much when it comes to money for their hangout, Aqua sighed as he took his suika out.

“I’ll pay.” And just like that, Aqua scanned his card once again, and payed for the both of them. Melt, once again was nothing but shocked, but major part of him felt an immense amount of embarrassment at the same time. Why did he kept on paying our meal, what the hell?! and just like that, Aqua made his way to exit the store, along with Melt following him from behind.

“Hey, Aqua!” Melt yelled at him, as he pouted like a child throwing tantrums towards the other. “I said, let me pay!” Melt somehow gets irritated by Aqua’s action. Not that he wasn’t being all grateful for it, he just felt embarrassed as hell. Melt had a strong assumption that most of Aqua’s tokens were wasted for him, and he disliked the fact that Aqua needs to bare the yoke all by himself by paying what Melt wanted as for how lavish he is. Nonetheless, little did he knew, Aqua didn’t mind wasting that much for him at all.

“Be frank with me. You didn’t brought that much money, am i right?” Aqua asked him, to which caught Melt off-guard, as he stopped in the midst of his track, starring at the floor. Aqua, seeing at how Melt stopped walking, gets stunned as well. Aqua took a few step backwards, as he stood adjacent along with Melt. “I’m sorry..” Melt said, as he fiddled with his hair. It’s somewhat a habit for Melt whenever he had a conversation with someone, especially when he’s feeling a bit dejected. “I-I mean, you’re right. It’s just that..” Melt bit his lower lip, as he proceeds with, “I wanted to pay for you since i’m the one who had dragged you out here.”

Hearing at Melt’s statement, Aqua smiled at him, as he gently stroke Melt’s hair. It brought chill down Melt’s spine, as he gazed over at Aqua, with a cherry red blush appeared on his face. Melt felt nothing but butterflies Aqua had sent to his stomach, by stroking Melt’s hair. “Don’t worry. It just shows how genuine i am. I’m just glad we could spend a day together.” Aqua explained, as he released his hand off Melt’s head. Melt was too stunned to speak, as he tried to pinpoint the current situation,

Was it actually Aqua’s love language?

Melt thought that Aqua might be one of those people who showed their love and affection through actions instead of words or expressions. Perhaps, Melt learned another aspect about Aqua that major amount of his friends might not notice the way he did. Melt was happy with that thought, “Well then if you insist.. I guess i’ll take that.” He said, as he gazed over to Aqua with a warm yet sweetest smile Aqua had ever encountered.

And so, that’s just how their feelings bloomed towards each other. Aqua seemed to become a lot more interested in Melt after those few hours they had spent together, and so does Melt towards Aqua.

Being all unaware of the time, it seems that they’ve been rotating the times square building for about 3 hours. They took some elevator, walking from each floor to floor, in which Melt kept venting about how miserable his life is, to which Aqua hesitate his statements and kept encouraging him that he wasn’t supposed to say that. In Aqua’s opinion, he’s one of the most successful youth he know. “People oftentimes criticizes me on twitter saying that i achieved such successful growth due to having pretty face..” Melt explained, while walking alongside Aqua who had been listening to his words carefully the entire time.

Aqua gazed at him, raising an eyebrow saying, “So what’s up with that? Isn’t it a good thing?” Melt turned his gaze upon him with such disbelief of what Aqua had to say, to which he replied with, “What? Getting criticized is a good thing? Your point being?” Aqua sighed. Looking at how the poor guy beside him totally misunderstood his point being, he shook his head. “That’s not what i’m saying. Having to born with pretty face is.” Melt gazed at him in confusion. “But they say—”

“Stop giving yourself a chance of being dragged down by negative criticism coming out from strangers.” Aqua suggested him, as he cuts off Melt’s attempt of hesitation. “Humans can’t possibly had enough with how much of a person tried to hone their skill. When they figured and encountered something horrible coming out from you, some people may shrug it off but the label won’t came off that easily.” Aqua explained, to which Melt listened carefully. Melt still doesn’t like the idea of people criticizing him, though. Regardless, who doesn’t anyway.

“I understand. I just don’t know why would there be such haters who doesn’t even understand how we’ve worked hard, yet they kept fastidiously spits out hates.” Melt replied to Aqua, “I don’t know, they’re probably jealous because you have a pretty face and it helped you much to receive more jobs even after you ruined sweet today.” Aqua replied him back, much to Melt’s concern. “Are you being for real? Not again with my obnoxious past.” Melt, with all of the sudden, became all gloomy and felt somewhat forlorn, although Aqua was with him all along.

Aqua sighed, he doesn’t like it when Melt being all gloomy, or rather get eaten up by self-doubts and anxiety. “Melt, what i’m saying is that you’ve done your best. It’s not your problem to interfere with their thoughts.” Aqua encouraged him, as he gently stroke Melt’s back in order to calm him down. Looking at Aqua’s action, Melt can’t help but turn his gaze away due to getting all awestrucked. “Y-You didn’t have to do that really.” Melt said, avoiding eye contact with Aqua, to which Aqua just smiled in response.

“You know.. You’re a hardworking person. Even when people kept criticizing your existence, yet you still appeared to radiate brighter each and every time. You’re also beautiful..” Aqua spitted out the words, as his cheeks grew hotter, much to cause Melt to gaze over him.

“You reminded me of Ai.” Aqua simply blurted out, as the warmth of his smile never left a departure. Melt was half surprised, he never actually expected that coming out from Aqua. He never thought that his existence would remind him about Ai in a good way. That said, Melt smiled, as he softened his gaze towards Aqua, feeling all flustered of his compliments.

“You’re so flirty..” Melt chuckled, and it was enough to cause Aqua to chuckle as well. Melt may never realized it, but he really made Aqua’s day, and so does Aqua who made Melt’s day.

They’re destined for each other, nothing more and nothing less.

Time passed by, as Aqua checked his wristwatch, and he was half surprised seeing the clock shows 2 PM. Time flew fast for neither both Aqua or Melt to realize. “Aqua...” Melt called him out, as Aqua turned his gaze towards Melt. “I’m starving.” Melt rubbed his head as he chuckled nervously. Aqua hummed, as he reciprocate Melt’s smile. Looking at how Melt informed Aqua about how he starved already, Aqua can’t help but thought that Melt somewhat looks like a clingy boyfriend. Yet, Aqua didn’t find that to be something that could possibly be odd, in fact, he thought it’s pretty cute.

“I see. Shall we grab something for lunch?” Aqua asked him, as Melt replied, “Yes!” as he took his phone out, checking the restaurant which he had placed a reservation for lunchtime. “Do you really placed that much reservation for each dining time?” Aqua asked him, as a concerned look appeared on his face. “Yeah.. Kinda spend my money for that..” Melt replied to him, as he rubbed the back of his temple. “C’mon. I placed a reservation on Katsukura.” Melt said as he dragged Aqua towards a restaurant called Katsukura. It’s located on the 14th floor of the Shinjuku Takashimaya towns square. Since Aqua and Melt is currently on the 10th floor, they had to take the elevator for another 4 floors.

And so they arrived at the restaurant located for lunch. Long story short, Aqua and Melt took their seats and placed their orders. Melt ordered a premium tenderloin cutlet accompanied with miso soup which cost 1780¥, while Aqua ordered the premium loin cutlet which cost 1980¥. The both of them enjoyed their meal, and of course, Aqua and Melt’s topic of conversation keeps going as they fed themselves with the crispy tender of katsu. Melt won’t stop chattering, to which Aqua didn’t mind at all as he listened and replied in need.

Once they finished, Aqua insisted to pay for them, and the total was 3760¥. Aqua knew damn well Melt was feeling a bit guilty that he’s being all lousy not to bring the amount of money they’ll need. Nonetheless, Aqua kept comforting him, telling him that it’s okay since Aqua is there to pay for them, and Melt doesn’t need to be bothered by it. After all, it’s an Aqua Melt ‘hangout’, or perhaps, ‘date’ would’ve been a way precise word to phrase it.

Just as when they exit the restaurant, Aqua asked Melt. “Hey Melt?” to which Melt turned his gaze towards him. “Yeah?” Aqua took his Hiyoko box off his bagpack, the one they’ve bought earlier. That said, he still have 2 leftover cakes on the box, which he felt that he had enough and wasn’t able to consume a bit more. “Do you want these?” Aqua asked him, to which Melt’s eyes sparkled as he saw the leftover sweets Aqua offered to him. “Yes, please.” Melt replied in awe.

And so, Aqua took one of those two cakes in his hand. Aqua ordered Melt to open his mouth, as he had the intention to feed him. Looking at what Aqua was about to do, Melt can’t help but blushed. “I-I’m not a baby anymore, you know?!” He said, as he face went all red, much for Aqua to notice. “Don’t worry, i insist.”

HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN THIS FLIRTY?! MSHAJSJSMDJWIIDJEKW?!?! Melt can’t help but to have that kind of thoughts. Melt had never thought of Aqua as someone with that much of flirty intentions. And as for that, Melt could be described as nothing but lovestrucked at the moment being.

Well of course, that leaves Melt no choice but to play along. As he opened his mouth, which gives Aqua the opportunity to fed him the sweet confectionery on his hand. “T-Thanks..” Melt mumbled between his chews and bites of the cake. Seeing at how Melt felt all flustered by his action, Aqua seemed pleased. For some reason, flattering Melt seems to become one of Aqua’s hobbies. He seemed to enjoy flirting with him by actions, it amuses him much to keep his smile’s endurance.

The only experience he couldn’t possibly get from anyone else but Melt. He really is someone special for Aqua. He’s really that adorable..

I may.. have fallen for him.

As much as Aqua hated to admit it, he found himself becoming less capable of being in denial of his feelings. Compared to the moments they’ve had prior, Aqua refrained much to cause him burying his feelings deep underneath for even his soul to dig them out to the surface.

Yet, Melt himself was the one to poke them out, effortlessly. It’s unlike Aqua felt as if it was an annoyance, as a matter of fact, he was completely lost in an unreadable mind. How is Melt of all people, was able to do that?

Funny thing, the exact answer to his own question was in him all along. Eventually, it was all because of how Melt admired Aqua since Sweet Today. Though, despite the lack of their introduction in the first place, to which Melt was way much careless than how he is at the moment being, yet there stood Aqua, as he drowned deeply in affection he felt coming out from Melt.

Then again, it happened because of Melt’s admiration, to which he didn’t realized, he had dragged Aqua down bad successfully.

Melt admired Aqua, so much that little did he realized that he could’ve won Aqua’s heart even when his attempts are effortless. In which : admiration and some sort of date where he ain’t paying for neither both of them, would do.

In the end, it’s no longer a one-sided admiration from Melt anymore, in fact, the way Aqua saw it, people oftentimes phrased it as ‘Mutual Pining’.

At first, Aqua was a bit confused about the way he developed some sort of romantic feelings towards Melt. Yeah, Aqua knew damn well the moment they had their first interaction, it’d come off as way too good to be platonic. Nonetheless, Aqua as yet seemed to be puzzled by how Melt succeeded on captivating him.

Perhaps there’s something divergent inside of Melt where no one else could ever pick up the sense except for Aqua. It’s some sort of charm, the same kind of charm Melt picked up from Aqua as well.

And yet, Aqua hadn’t had a slightest clue. Perhaps, the similarity between Aqua and Melt lies on each other’s perspective, Melt didn’t understand the kind of charm Aqua possessed in order to draw everyone in, and as for Aqua, he didn’t understand the kind of charm Melt possessed in order to draw everyone in as well.

And yet, there stood the both of them, drawing each other in.

Nevertheless, Aqua, growing up in his previous life as Gorou, he never actually felt that much interest towards any guys around him. Well, none of them looked like Melt Narushima after all. And as for that, he is actually pretty grateful that he could be reincarnated as Aquamarine Hoshino. Not only because it benefited the life of his twin sister, Ruby, whose former known as Sarina, nor because of the experience he had living as a child of his favorite idol, Ai, or rather to fulfill his revenge in order to put an end on his father’s life, Hikaru..

In fact, he was pleased to met some people who loved him, and Melt is one of them.

Now that he’s no longer fixated on revenge, he could at least find himself some happiness through love and youth. Some people had already attempted to shower him some love and affection, some people like Kana Arima, or Akane Kurokawa..

Nonetheless, none of them compared to the kind of love he possessed from Melt Narushima. Previously, many times he find love to be irritating, as of how he received it in the middle of his life that were all fixated on revenge, so it was nothing but an obstacle on his course. But ever since Melt came into his life, the experience felt somewhat way more pleasant.

That’s when Aqua knew he liked Melt, not in a friend way.

Besides, have they actually considered each other as friends from the moment prior? Aqua thought he doesn’t need to become Melt’s friend, in fact, he would gladly kiss Melt on the lips if that’s fine by the other.

And so, that’s how Melt’s previous thoughts were to come true.

Melt might’ve happened to fought his life in order to shut his mind up whenever Aqua traversed across his head, as he felt somewhat odd to be keeping him in there, and truly it’s merely a daydream that’d never happen, at least that’s what he told himself. Nonetheless, little did he knew, his head was actually preparing him for the future.

Well of course, no one knows what will happen in the future. Melt and Aqua did not as well.

In the end, “I’m gonna make you love me, Aqua.” wasn’t a nonsense after all.

“Where do we go next for dinner?” Aqua asked Melt, who sat behind him on the passenger seat. “Densetsu no Sutadon.” Melt shouted from behind him, to which Aqua nodded his head and head over Densetsu no Sutadon. It’s a restaurant where people could mostly find near stations. As they arrived, Melt once again dragged Aqua towards the seat he had placed a reservation under his surname. Aqua was slightly shocked, but was also puzzled, as he gazed over Melt with an unreadable expression.

“What’s with you and placing reservations on three restaurants..” Aqua said in disbelief, but major part of him was actually pretty happy to know that Melt has this date settled down. Melt chuckled, “I just want this day to be special..” He said, as a bright pink flushed all over his cheeks. Aqua smiled. Well, he had been smiling throughout the day because of their hangout, and mostly because of Melt. “I see.”

And so they placed their order for the last meal of the day, as both Aqua and Melt ordered the same thing, Shio Sutadon and Stamina Curry. Aqua and Melt was feeling plenty delightful to spend the entire day just between the two of them.

No Kana to interrupt Melt, and No Ruby to interrupt Aqua. Everything went smooth-sailing, just how Melt had expected it to be.

Long story short, they finished their dinner. All of the sudden, Aqua’s phone rang, signaling an incoming call. Just as when he checked it out, it was an incoming call from Ruby. So he went picking it up, “Onii-chan, how long do you planned to stay out there with Melt? It’s almost 7 PM!” Ruby scolded him, to which Aqua replied with, “Yeah, yeah, don’t worry i’ll be home soon.” Ruby groaned over the phone, she sighed as she replied him back, “Fine. Don’t be out for too long.” “I won’t.”

And so they hanged up. Aqua returned his gaze at Melt, “Ruby was calling, perhaps we should head home now.” Aqua said, picking up his belonging as he tote it on his shoulder. Melt nodded in agreement, as he came prepared to leave the restaurant, as Aqua payed for their meal, and headed out. Aqua planned to accompany Melt back home, since they had been driving together for the past 11 hours like a couple. So Melt agreed and allowed Aqua to escort him back home.

Silence illuminated their trip, as Melt gazed towards the sky. Stars filled the entire galaxy, and it was captivating to look at. Somehow, the starry sky reminded him of Aqua’s eyes, in which everytime he did an eye contact with Aqua, he would find himself lost in the beauty of those eyes, having to have no way to escape. Aqua’s pair of eyes, remembering it just made him felt warm and cozy. If only he could stay possibly to lock gazes with those beautiful pair of aquamarine eyes, he wouldn’t mind getting lost in it, just like how he was lost in his sight towards the beautiful starry sky that night.

They went closer to Melt’s address, every zephyr of breeze hits Melt’s face would make him fell tired. His eyes are slowly closing during the trip, but he knew damn well he could’ve fell from that motorcycle if he fell asleep. Melt refrained, but each time he tried to, his eyes gets way heavier than how it was. As when he gets to the point where he felt like his body was about to collapse, Melt subconsciously wrapped his arms around Aqua’s stomach, as he laid his head on Aqua’s shoulder.

Aqua gazed at him over the rearview mirror. The way Melt wraps his arm around him made him felt cozier than ever. Even when the temperature was pretty cold out in the moment being, Aqua remained warm as Melt’s body touches his. Aqua thought he just wanted to drive with him forever, so he could possibly wrap his arm around him and lay his head on his shoulder all the way.

Both Aqua and Melt is in love with one another for sure.

As they arrived, Aqua woke him up, telling that they’ve arrived at his house. Melt rubs one of his eyes, scanning the environment as he nodded, knowing that they’ve arrived in the right location. As both of them made their way down the motorcycle, Melt gazed towards Aqua before making his way to the entry door.

“Thanks for hanging out with me today. I really enjoyed this date.” Melt thanked Aqua, to which he didn’t realize that he spitted out the word ‘date’. Aqua smiled as he raised a brow at him. “So you’ve admitted that this is actually a date now?” Aqua teased him, and it was much to cause Melt to blush over the embarrassment. “Wh— I didn’t— Okay fine.” Melt did tried to hesitate, but then he gave himself up. He did actually planned this to be a date instead of hangout to begin with, Nonetheless, Aqua could easily tell.

“I knew it, and yeah you’re welcome.” Aqua replied to him. They stared at each other for a few seconds, and that’s when Melt find himself being lost at the beautiful yet mesmerizing eyes of Aqua’s. From what he observed, Aqua’s eyes shone brighter in the dark, and it was enough to made him way beautiful than Melt had ever saw. Just as when he didn’t realized it, Aqua leaned in closer, and closer, as he pulled Melt gently by holding the back of his neck,

And they kissed.

It was delicate. Melt couldn’t help but to shut his eyes close and reciprocate the kiss. It somehow felt so sincere, the only kiss Aqua had never gave to anyone else except for him. The one he couldn’t give to Akane, nor he could give it to Kana..

It was only for Melt and Melt only.

They stay for a couple of seconds, and Aqua pulled off, staring at Melt’s eyes once again as he stroke the other’s hair. Melt was feeling loved and grateful to have Aqua with him. And as for Aqua, he’s glad he could have the opportunity to get to know Melt.

Aqua pulled his phone out of his pocket, where it shows 7 PM. “I’ll be going now. See you next time.” Aqua said, as he once again leaned in and kissed Melt’s forehead, to which Melt was stunned by his action, blush wouldn’t leave his cheek. “Okay.. Be careful on your way home.” Melt replied, as Aqua nodded and made his way back to his motorcycle. Aqua hopped on his transportation, as Melt waved at him, signaling a farewell. And so Aqua drove off, and Melt entered his house after leaving it for the whole entire day.

And that’s when their day came to its end. But Melt was satisfied, it’ll be one of those days, where reality doesn’t betray his expectations, and an everlasting moment he would remember for the whole eternity.

Until then, he succeeded on unlocking the inconceivable.