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Mitsuya knew for a while.
Not to say Yuzuha is bad at hiding her feelings— she’s quite good at it actually. He only caught on to her feelings a year and a half ago, and he realizes she probably had feelings for him even before that.
He knew it because, Yuzuha, was able to hide the abuse she went through, the truth of her protecting Hakkai, from so many people, for far too long. He realizes if he caught on now, it’d mean she has been hiding it for far longer, for she would never expose a secret so quick like that.
But honestly, even then, she didn’t hide it that perfectly to begin with. The eyes never lie, they said, and it’s true. No matter how nonchalant or normal she’d act around him, she could never hide the way her gaze softens around him, or how her voice drops a few octaves around him.
It all started at the whole Christmas fiasco. She couldn’t help it, how could she not fall for the man that took care of her and her little brother when her dad and older brother couldn’t and haven’t bothered? How could she not when he sacrificed his life at the church for her and her brother? It was only a matter of time.
It’s simply impossible. She couldn’t just look at him like a brother. She had two already and they’re enough of a handful, especially Taiju.
And so, in the spring of 2009, before their graduation, for the better or worse, Mitsuya will confront her.
Not that he’d reject her. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. He didn’t have a crush on her for the most of the time he knew her— but then, sometime about two years ago, his view towards her started to shift.
He had always admired her strength. As an older brother, he truly respects her for what she did, and went through for Hakkai. Enduring the abuse, and even taking the blame in his place and going as far as attempting to kill Taiju for him and her. It was impossible to not have a high level of respect for her. She was an ideal older sister, protecting the little one from harms way, even at the cost of herself.
And to him, nothing matters more than Luna and Mana, his little siblings. Not even Toman. And he appreciates them more than everything, along with anyone that takes care of them and makes them happy.. such as Yuzuha.
Hakkai’s great too, but Yuzuha’s a girl. She understands them better and takes care of them in aspects Neither Mitsuya or Hakkai are able to figure out how to work with, especially with Luna soon approaching puberty age. And he appreciates that greatly, and the fact he can rely on her to take care of them whenever he has matters to attend to along with Hakkai for the sake of their gang.
Therefore, Mitsuya won’t plainly confess.
He’ll do one of the things he’s best at: sew.
He already has Yuzuha’s measurements, as he already, did sew for her before. Granted, it was months ago, so measurements probably would have changed— he doubts they changed much though. That’s why he isn’t going to sew something that needs precise measurements. Just a stretchy dress, to guarantee it’ll fit perfectly. With a boat neck maybe? Or a V neck.. it’s okay to be confused, after all he has three months left. That’s plenty of time for him to figure it out.
A pretty woman that he wants his sisters to be like, he trust an elegant dress, like her, would suit her well.
As the weeks passed by; Mitsuya settled for what dress he’d make for his hopefully soon to be girlfriend: An A line, off the shoulders, plaster brown dress. High waist flared hem shape. A little ruche at the waist for her slim bulid.
As Mitsuya sketches it, he realizes he chose right. It suits her style, taste and believes she’d look stunning in it.
With the months passing; and March finally approaching, he finishes the carefully planned and crafted dress, scrutinizing it on the model mannequin in front of him in his shared room.
He already improvised on it before, but he’d like to make sure just for his peace of mind. But now that he looks at it.. he’s really proud of it. It’s not fancy by any means, but yet it is both fancy and casual; it all depends on how you style it. With the right accessories and jewelry; it can be either for a fancy occasion or a family function, even. He smiles at it, feeling fulfilled and satisfied with how it turned out, well-pleased with the piece he spent three solid months working on.
However, Yuzuha response to it is what will determine if this feeling of content will last. Even though the response is clear; he cant help but feel anxious. He’s not that nervous but.. confessing to someone isn’t easy, even when it’s someone you share a mutual comfort with, usually.
But, when it comes to them, like always, Mitsuya knew. He knew even if one rejected the other, neither of them would let it stand in the way of their friendship. Both of them are strong, physically, mentally and emotionally. They’re both people who had been exposed to rough circumstances in many ways before. Be it domestic violence, neglect, and the pressure of too much responsibility and expectations.
Both of them have grown up sacrificing themselves for the sake of family. They both but in so much effort for their little siblings and lost precious time that could’ve been spent working on themselves. But even then, neither are upset. None of them lament on the effort they put for others. Because when they see their little siblings in comfort, happy, smiling, it all feels worth it, and they’d do it a second time in a heartbeat if they ever had to, no doubt about that.
That’s why, no matter what happens, they both know they can and will get over it. They both are emotionally mature, very capable of separating emotions and feelings whenever they have too, and they can sort it. And they want to sort out their feelings, together.
The day before the last rolls in, and Mitsuya approaches Yuzuha, a little, tiny tiny bit nervous, however what little nervousness he had before vanishes when he locks eyes with her familiar, comforting irises.
He converses for a short few sentences with her about today’s exam, and then decides to tell her, “Yuzuha,” she nods at him questioning “can you meet me tomorrow? Behind the school, right after it rings. I understand you might wanna spend the last day with your friends but it’s important,” Yuzuha processes what he said, then she sounds a little confused as she questions: “is it a goodbye since we’re graduating? Well, it doesn’t matter, I’ll text Hakkai about it then-“ Mitsuya interrupts, “alone, can you come alone? It’s something between us.”
Yuzuha raises her eyebrow at this, and her heart skips a beat. Is it really what thinks it is? She knows that he knows. They both know. Not to say she’s uncomfortable but all the times she said in her head she’d be chill if it ever happens went flying out the window. She suddenly feels unready, like it’s too abrupt even though she had a feeling it’ll happen sooner than she thought. She noticed how he eyed her a few days ago. But, nonetheless, she’ll keep calm. “..alright. See you then,” she hopes her voice didn’t get too high or shake, “see you tomorrow,” he waved at her while he left.
By tomorrow, both Yuzuha and Mitsuya couldn’t do their best in the exam; their thoughts were running miles per second in anticipation. Mitsuya had already wrapped the dress in a vintage-like gift wrapping, he always associated her with vintage, for whatever reason. Perhaps because she was just as classy.
The bell rings, and Mitsuya leaves as fast as possible to get behind school before Yuzuha— he would like to uphold his self-respect. Yuzuha spent half her time in the examination hall resisting the urge to bite her nails and tap her feet under the desk, and when she heard the bell ringing, her stomach started to churn in anxiety.
She decided to take her time walking, even slower than usual to think it through. How’d she respond if it was a confession? Or worse.. a confrontation. Maybe he’d want to keep it friendly despite their feelings towards each other. Or maybe.. she’s reading into it too much.
Actually, scratch that. The tension between them is definitely there, and she’s not imagining it.
By the time she arrives, most students are huddled at the front of the school, spending the last day with their friends— save for the few that are also spread in pairs behind the school’s main building, having the same plans as Yuzuha and Mitsuya.
She spots him close enough, and slowly heads towards him, and he turns at the sounds of close footsteps. The moment they lock eyes, all anxiety seems to vanish, finding comfort in the warmth they knew for years.
“Ah, here you are,” he said gently. Yuzuha notices that he’s holding something in his hands— not flowers, but a gift, it seems.
“Didn’t think I’d ditch you, did you?” She asks, amused already. Even though they both know what’s about to come, they’re as comfortable as ever.
He chuckles at that, and he decides to get the ball rolling. “I think we’ve both known for a while,” Yuzuha nods at him, “about our feelings towards each-other, right? So.. take this gift, Yuzuha. It was made just for you.” He hands her the wrapped gift, and Yuzuha hesitates whether to open it right now, or wait until later. However, she decided to open it now after seeing the expectant expression on his face.
She started to unwrap it, cheap gift wrapping forming a crinkling voice around them— he used all his budget on the dress— and when she’s finally done, she sees a folded dress. Honestly? She knew the moment he said it was made for her. She lifts the dress up to its full length, and a little gasp escapes her mouth.
Even though it wasn’t a detailed dress, it was clear it was made meticulously, sewn with so much earnest. Mitsuya is only 18, while he’s certainly not an amateur at sewing and such, he’s still far from a full fledged designer. To see how it looks like its been bought from a brand store.. it says a lot.
She didn’t gasp because the dress was only up to taste and standards— but the evident hard work, too.
And now she wishes she knew he’d give her this. She doesn’t have anything to give him, meanwhile he just gave her such a heartfelt gift that took him time, effort and so much energy, especially along with their finals being so close and all of them preparing for college and whatever path they’ll choose to walk through.
She appreciates it so, so much. So much that when she open her mouth, all she could say is “I love it.” In an awed whisper.
Mitsuya smiles, “I’m glad, really.” He’s happy that she likes it, and the money he spent on the high-quality materials he used for the dress, even though it’s well over his usual budget.
“So, Yuzuha. I think it’s time we both come clear. I like you, more than just a friend,” he finally confessed, and it felt like a weight being lifted off his shoulders. A bit of a silence comes out before Yuzuha simply says “.. I like you too.”
“So we’re officially dating now, right?”
“Mhm,”
They both bask in the current warmth and content they’re feeling before Yuzuha giggles, “Hakkai is going to be over the moon when he hears this,” Mitsuya chuckles over that.
Needless to say, Hakkai, was in fact over the moon.