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Ango Sakaguchi was not one to mince words, especially when it came to his admiration for Oda Sakunosuke. Theirs was a friendship steeped in mutual respect and unspoken understanding, born from years of working side by side in the tumultuous world of Yokohama's underground organisations. It was a rare moment of respite when they found themselves seated together at a small, secluded cafe, away from the prying eyes and ears of their respective factions.
The cafe was quaint, with soft jazz playing in the background and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingering in the air. Ango sat across from Oda, his gaze fixed on the man who had become both a trusted ally and a dear friend.
"You're so pretty," Ango blurted out suddenly, his normally composed demeanour momentarily faltering.
Oda, caught off guard by the unexpected compliment, blinked in surprise. "Uhm... thank you?"
Ango chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Sorry, I didn't mean to... It's just, well, you are."
Oda's lips twitched into a faint smile, his usually stoic expression softening. "I appreciate the compliment, Ango."
Embarrassed by his own boldness, Ango glanced down at his coffee cup, trying to regain his composure. He had never been one to express his feelings openly, especially not to someone as reserved and dignified as Oda Sakunosuke. But there was something about Oda's presence that made Ango want to break his own rules, to step outside the boundaries he had carefully set for himself.
"How did he know?" Ango mused aloud, more to himself than to Oda.
Oda tilted his head slightly, studying Ango with a curious expression. "Know what?"
Ango hesitated, unsure of how to articulate his thoughts. "How did he know... that I find you... pretty?" He finally managed to say, his cheeks flushing slightly.
A faint blush coloured Oda's cheeks, a rare display of vulnerability from the usually composed man. "I... I'm not sure," he admitted quietly, his gaze dropping to his hands folded on the table. "But... thank you, Ango."
The air between them shifted subtly, charged with an unspoken acknowledgment of the newfound closeness between them. Ango cleared his throat, attempting to steer the conversation back to safer ground. "So, about those reports from last week..."
Oda nodded, grateful for the return to familiar territory. They delved into discussions of business and strategy, their earlier exchange lingering in the back of their minds as a silent promise of trust and camaraderie.
As they parted ways later that evening, Ango couldn't help but replay the moment in his mind. He had never been particularly adept at expressing his emotions, especially not to someone like Oda Sakunosuke. Yet, in that fleeting instant of vulnerability, he had glimpsed a deeper connection between them – one that transcended their roles as allies in a dangerous world.
And for Oda, the unexpected compliment from Ango lingered like a gentle breeze, warming his heart in a way that no amount of praise or admiration from others ever could. In Ango's simple words, Oda found a reassurance of their bond, a silent understanding that spoke volumes about the depth of their friendship.
As they navigated the complexities of their intertwined lives in Yokohama, Ango and Oda carried with them the memory of that quiet cafe conversation – a testament to the power of sincerity, even in the most unexpected moments.