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Ever since his arrival at Makochi, Sakura's life has changed in many ways. People didn't find his appearance off putting, which he was still skeptical about. His friends actually liked him, and he grew to accept that. But the weirdest thing had to be Togame. His boyfriend.
Well not exactly. They're not boyfriends yet, but that's just because Sakura is too shy and Togame is too considerate of his feelings.
Togame knows from experience that when he loves someone, he tends to give it his all. This may sound like a good thing, but it's led him to take the wrong path before. However, he's determined to make things work properly this time.
It helps that Sakura gets embarrassed easily. They get to take things slow, and it benefits them both. So far they've held hands, cuddled and slept in the same bed. But even Sakura can get impatient. He wants to kiss, and call Togame his boyfriend. But is he going to say anything about it? Absolutely not. He'd rather die than admit wanting affection.
---
Nirei and Suo were sleeping over at Sakura's apartment. They did that often and played different games or told each other scary stories (Suo told the stories while Nirei and Sakura pretended to not be scared).
When Suo and Nirei first started dating, Sakura was worried they would leave him behind. But that wasn't the case. He never felt like a third wheel with them. Sure, he'd catch them holding hands and acting all affectionate together, but they still hung out as much as before.
"Suo you cheater! I saw you shoving cards up your sleeve!" Sakura pointed at him accusingly.
"I'm hurt Sakura! You really think I'd do such a horrible thing?" Suo said innocently.
"Sakura calm down! It's probably a misunderstanding." Nirei pulled on Sakura's arm to prevent him from jumping on Suo.
"Don't defend him!"
---
Cards discarded for the night, they laid out the extra futon right next to Sakura's. They had to squeeze in to fit on just two futons, but the room was too small to add a third. Suo and Nirei didn't mind that, but Sakura...
"Why do I have to sleep in the middle?? You two are bo-boyfriends!" Sakura complained, red faced, yet not making any effort to move from his vice captains embrace. They had him trapped in a hug and he'd never admit it, but he enjoyed it.
"We can't cuddle and leave you out! It'd be rude." Nirei explained.
"And we wouldn't want you getting jealous. We love you very much Sakura." Suo added just to be a tease.
"I'm not jealous!" Sakura almost yelled and covered his face with the blanket. He was still so new to all this affection, and he felt like exploding.
"An-anyway I’m tired. Goodnight." He said and closed his eyes.
"Goodnight dear Sakura." Suo said and planted a kiss on Sakura's cheek.
"Goodnight Sakura!" Nirei left a peck on Sakura's forehead.
And that broke Sakura for the night.
---
The following day, Sakura woke up first. He made his way out of his friend’s arms and grabbed his phone. Once he was in the other room, he called Togame. They didn't text much since Togame doesn't like it. Instead, they call a few times each day.
"Morning..." Togame mumbled before yawning.
"Did I wake you up?" Sakura asked worried. Maybe he'll text before calling next time.
"Nah don't worry... I was awake. Just being lazy in bed." He said, stretching to wake up properly.
"You're usually up by now. Are you free today?" Sakura asked, half hoping he could see Togame that day. He really misses him, even though it's only been a few days since they last saw each other.
"Yes I have nothing to do today. I was gonna ask if you'd like to go on a date?" Togame asked.
"Sure..." Sakura's heart was beating fast already. Calm down! It's just a date! They've been on a few dates already it's not a big deal.
"I look forward to it. Let's meet at the bus station at four. " He said.
"Do you have something in mind?" Sakura asked. Something in Togame’s tone was suspicious.
"That's a surprise. I'll see you later Sakura."
"S-see you later..."
Sakura hung up, and held his phone to his chest. He could never get used to him and Togame going on dates. He exhaled a shaky breath and turned around, only to see Suo and Nirei peeking through the door.
"How long have you two been watching??" Sakura asked, embarrassed.
"Long enough to know our dear Sakura is going on a date~" Suo teased.
Nirei and Suo didn't stay long. They interrogated Sakura then left him to get ready. He thinks he heard them planning a date of their own but he wasn't really focused. Sakura was too nervous to focus on anything. Time was passing by so slowly, Sakura thought he was going crazy.
---
"Hey Sakura. Did you wait long?"
Togame took Sakura's hand in his as soon as he reached him.
"No I just got there." Lies. Sakura had been standing there for an hour because he was too fidgety at home.
"That's good. We'll take the next bus." Togame said, squeezing Sakura's hand.
"Where are we even going anyway?"
"You'll see when we get there."
Sakura didn't like how secretive Togame was being, but he'd have to deal with it. They got on the next bus and sat in the back.
He remembers Suo and Nirei often went on dates in a different city. And Nirei mentioned last night that a cat café opened in that city. Could they be going there?
They got off the bus and walked to a place decorated with neon signs glowing in several colors.
"An arcade?"
Sakura had never been to an arcade before.
The inside was dark, lit up by the neon lights and the glowing screens of the games. Laughter could be heard from the groups of teenagers.
While Sakura was busy being amazed by his surroundings, Togame purchased coin tokens to play.
"Any game you want to start with?" He asked, bringing Sakura's attention back to him. He didn't really understand how these games worked, but he spotted a boxing machine in the corner of the room.
"Let's try that one." He said, walking over to it. Of course Sakura would pick a game of strength.
Togame inserted the coin, and the machine glowed and played music. The sudden sound startled Sakura, but he got into position and punched as hard as he could.
The score "820" appeared on the glowing screen.
"820? Is that good?" Sakura asked. He didn't really know how the scoring system worked on that thing.
"It's a pretty high score," Togame started as he inserted another coin and stood in front of the machine. "But I have to warn you this machine is rigged. It might give you a higher score if you punch it a certain way." Togame said and punched the machine.
The score "892" appeared on screen.
"And you just tell me that?? Unfair! I want a rematch!" Sakura inserted another coin into the machine, and punched. But his score wasn't much different.
Togame laughed then held Sakura's hand, guiding him to show him where to punch. Sakura tried again, and this time scored 902.
"How do you even know that?" He asked.
"One time Choji and I spent an entire afternoon trying to figure out the trick behind this machine. We spent way too much money on that." Togame replied, smiling fondly at the memory.
---
The two of them tried all kinds of games. First the racing game, where Sakura drove his car off the cliff. Then they played a shooting game. It took Sakura two rounds to get used to the controls, but eventually managed to clear out the game.
Togame was initially worried Sakura wouldn't enjoy the arcade since he wasn't good at video games. But Sakura is a competitive person and he always manages to make things fun.
At some point, Togame saw Sakura eyeing the plushies inside the claw machine.
"Which one do you want?" He asked, leading Sakura by the hand to the machine.
"I don't want a plushy! That's for kids!" Sakura exclaimed, a blush forming on his face.
"You think so? I like the turtle one. And look at that cute cat one." Togame said, putting a coin in the machine.
"The cat is alright I guess..."
How cute. Togame finds it adorable when Sakura acts this way. Now he had to get the cat no matter what.
It took him a few tries but he eventually got it. Seeing Sakura's expression every time he was about to catch it but failed was worth it. And his smile when the plushy was finally acquired was priceless.
Togame picked it up and handed it to Sakura. He held it close to his chest, face red.
"Thank you..."
Togame's heart might just burst. He'd do anything to see Sakura happy. He pulled him into a hug. Usually Sakura wouldn't do things like that in public, but he leaned into the hug. Their significant height difference made it easy for Sakura to listen to Togame's heart, and it was beating fast.
Damn it... Sakura really wants to call Togame his boyfriend already. He pulled away from the hug and held one of Togame's hands, bringing it to rest on his chest. His heart was beating erratically, and his face was redder than ever.
"Let's be boyfriends or something already..." Sakura mumbled, looking down at their hands.
Togame never expected Sakura to be the one to ask. To say he was surprised was an understatement.
He put his fingers under Sakura's chin, forcing him to look him in the eyes.
"I'd love to be your boyfriend." He said as he moved closer, reducing the distance between the two of them. Sakura panicked, looking at Togame's lips before shutting his eyes closed. He was clutching onto the cat plushy tightly. He wanted it more than anything, but he didn't expect to be kissed in that moment. How do people even kiss? Where does he put his hands? Should he keep his eyes closed?
Loud screams and laughter erupted from the corner, where a machine's screen indicated a high score. Sakura stepped away as fast as he could and looked toward the noise. He almost forgot they were still in the arcade. Luckily they hadn't been spotted.
"I'm sorry..." Now he felt awful. He stepped away right before his first kiss with his boyfriend. Way to ruin the mood.
"Don't worry about it." Togame said, holding his hand once more. "Our date is far from over."
---
The arcade got louder and busier so they left soon after. Fingers intertwined, they made their way to the nearby beach.
Maybe it's because they're in a city where they don't know anyone, or because they're officially boyfriends now, but Sakura isn't acting as shy as he used to.
They made it right in time for the sunset. The beach was empty at this hour. They removed their shoes and walked along the shore. The sea breeze was cold and Sakura unconsciously walked closer to Togame.
"You still owe me that rematch." Sakura said, his eyes fixed on the sunset.
"Rematch?"
"For that fight when we first met. You didn't fight me seriously back then."
Togame erupted into laughter "You're still thinking about that fight?"
Sakura's face flared up "Of course I am!"
Sakura's eyes were always pretty, and they looked beautiful in that moment, reflecting the sunset's vibrant colors.
"I couldn't possibly fight you again." Togame said, cupping Sakura's cheeks.
"Wh-why not?"
He ran his finger along Sakura's jaw. It was covered in light bruises. Sakura always got into fights, so it's not that surprising. But Togame wanted nothing more than to destroy the person who dared touch his boyfriend. He's aware Sakura is more than capable of defending himself, but he could get a little possessive sometimes.
"I don't intend on hurting you, so I couldn't punch you with all I got."
Sakura didn't seem to like that answer.
"You're no fun..."
"Sakura."
"What?"
"I love you"
Sakura was taken aback, flustered by the sudden confession.
"Wh-where did this come from??"
"I'm trying to set a romantic mood... won't you play along?" Togame leaned down to Sakura's level.
"You're unbelievable..." Sakura closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh, trying to calm himself. It's still so difficult for him to understand how someone could actually love him.
Nirei and Suo often told him they loved him. And now Togame? Was he really worthy of love?
He opened his eyes, finding himself face to face with Togame. His heart might have exploded at the sight.
"I love you too..." He confessed, words barely audible.
Sakura can't pretend to understand what love feels like. He's never loved or been loved before. But he'd like to believe that what he feels for his friends and Togame is just that. He feels strongly about them, even if it's a bit different with Togame.
Whether it's love or not, Sakura thinks he's on the right path, and he wants to learn to embrace his feelings instead of rejecting them.
And that's why when Togame leans in, Sakura isn't scared. The questions he thought of earlier vanished as their lips pressed together.
Sakura drops the bag containing the plushy they had won earlier, and wraps his arms around Togame's neck. It feels nice to kiss someone you love. Togame tastes like salt, probably from the sea breeze. His lips were a bit chapped, and the corner of his mouth was bruised.
Togame's hands made their way to Sakura's waist. Butterflies in his stomach were going crazy and his knees felt weak. His face was probably on fire.
Sakura had never kissed anyone before, but now that he knows what it feels like, he doesn't think he can live without it.
The kiss didn't last long, yet Sakura didn't let go. He wanted Togame to stay close. Would it be weird if he tried kissing him again already? Their lips were still so close he could feel Togame's breath.
Fuck it.
He crashed their lips together, a bit harder than intended. It hurt a bit and he's pretty sure one of them was bleeding. Togame couldn't stop himself from laughing.
"Stop laughing!" Sakura wanted to run off and jump into the sea out of embarrassment.
"Sorry Sakura but that was adorable." Togame struggled to say between laughs. He picked up the bag containing the plushy and held Sakura's hand. "As much as I'd like to keep teasing you, we should leave before we miss the last bus."
---
Sakura was exhausted. Getting out of bed that morning was almost impossible. The previous night when Togame walked him home, they got carried away during their "goodnight kiss". By the time they were done making out, it was really late.
"Good morning Sakura!" Nirei greeted him once he walked into class.
"How was your date yesterday? Did you enjoy the beach?" Suo asked, walking over to him.
"It was fine..." It was too early for Sakura to be dealing with Suo's teasing.
Wait... how did Suo know they were at the beach?
Nirei saw the confusion on Sakura's face and explained "Yesterday Suo and I went on a date too. We went to that cat café in the nearby city I was talking about. And we kinda saw you and Togame at the beach..."
Sakura's face flared up at that information.
"We didn't want to disturb you since you were busy so we left." Nirei added.
"They grow up so fast..." Suo wiped a fake tear and Sakura would've been fighting him if he wasn't that sleepy.
"What he means to say is we're happy for you Sakura! Are you two officially boyfriends?" Nirei stepped in the calm down the situation.
Sakura took a deep breath then nodded.
"Then next time let's have a double date!" Suo suggested.
A double date? That sounds like the perfect opportunity for Suo to embarrass him in front of Togame. But to go out with his three favorite people might be nice. Sakura will have to give it some thought.