Work Text:
In retrospect, Midori should’ve realized that his morning was going a little too well. It was Tuesday, which meant his parents wouldn’t wake him up early to set up shop as business tended to be slower. And it was finally summer, meaning he didn’t have to worry about getting up for school or finishing homework.
Last night, Midori’s idiot of a senior excitedly rambled about the audition he had next morning for a decent role in a movie that he hoped to watch with Midori, Tetora, Shinobu, and Shinkai. The greengrocer wasn’t exactly looking forward to having to deal with Morisawa’s and Tetora’s high energy at the same time, not to mention enduring Morisawa on the big screen, but he supposed it would be nice to be with Shinobu and Shinkai again… That was a problem for his future self to deal with in about a year.
Regardless, all the stars had essentially aligned in Midori’s favor. No school, no work, and best of all, no Morisawa. It was nine in the morning, and after lazily getting out of bed and brushing his teeth, the mascot lover sat dutifully in front of the small television in his room, surrounded by his collection of plushies and the pleasant background buzz of summer cicadas. The only way it could have gotten better was if it was winter so that he could bundle up in a blanket burrito.
“Midori!” his mother called from downstairs.
“WHAAAAT?” I thought this was supposed to be a free day… Why am I getting called?
“We’re going to get a delivery soon, so can you please pick it up!? Your father and I are heading out!”
“OKAAAY!” Midori sighed resignedly. Hopefully, he’d be able to get through another episode before he was forced to go downstairs.
Ding! Ding!
“Ugh… fine… COMING!” Midori groaned as he forcibly hoisted himself up, and he hurried down the stairs. With a bleary yawn, he slowly opened the front door. “Are you the mail—” His eyes widened as he saw the uniformed man at his door.
“This is ‘Takamine’s Greengrocer’, correct?” The stranger turned over the small package to reread the label, nodding as if reaffirming his own thoughts.
The young man was dressed neatly in a spotless white shirt, a row of silver buttons running down the right side of his torso. The shirt’s collar and cuffs were sky blue, separated from the snowy white fabric by a thick red border at every point the two clashed. Plain blue jeans comfortably fit the man’s legs, almost brushing against the shined leather shoes that complimented the fresh brown belt, and the tucked-in shirt added to the professional aura he exuded. Oddly, the only indication he was a mailman was the uniform cap he wore, almost balancing on top of the man’s head by the way it shifted on his slightly tousled navy-blue hair.
“U-Uh… yeah, that’s us…” Midori gulped, suddenly very conscious of his tacky avocado-green shorts and strawberry yuru-chara T-shirt. Maybe he should’ve given himself a once-over in the mirror to see how bad his bedhead was… “Are you the mailman?”
The handsome stranger chuckled, tipping his hat off to Midori and spotlighting his dark fuchsia eyes that were previously shielded from the sunlight. “Yes. I hear that too often.”
“I-I didn’t mean that in an offensive way! I’m just not used to them dressing like that…”
“I understand,” the mailman assured good-naturedly. “Here is your delivery.”
“R-Right…” Midori held out his hands to receive the package, fighting down a squeal as his fingers brushed the others man’s hands. Why did I grab the package like that!? That was so unnatural, and now it looks like I grabbed it that way just so my hands would touch his. Not that I wouldn’t want to feel his hands, but—
“Have a good day.” With a polite wave and short bow, the young mailman boarded his bike and sped down the block, leaving the high school senior breathless as the fresh summer wind blew back his way.
Well… there’s my eye candy for the day…
Normally, that would be where anything ended for Midori. He’d get occasionally flustered or starstruck by coming across an attractive waiter or student before promptly forgetting about them a few days later when they no longer held any relevance in his life. If he was honest, that was probably for the best given how badly he embarrassed himself. While Midori moved crates from the back to the front of the store, his thoughts continuously berated him for his laughable mess up from a couple of days ago.
The doorbell’s chime was faintly heard from the apartment above the store.
Mom poked her head out from the backroom, a large box in her arms. “Midori! That’s probably a package for us!”
“Got it…” Midori lazily lumbered over to the front door. Twice in a row… ‘Course I always end up talking to people even when it’s a slow day… “Hel—”
The mailman from Tuesday was at the door of the Takamine residence again, a larger package in his arms.
“It’s you,” Midori blurted out.
Just as he had before, the mailman chuckled in an unfairly charming way. “That I am. And I see that it is you.” His eyes roamed over the Takamine greengrocer uniform. “And you appear to be in much better shape than you were last time.”
He remembers that!? Aren’t I supposed to be just another faceless person he delivers to!? I wanna die… I probably looked so ridiculous that he laughed about it to himself when he got home… Maybe he even told his friends…
Something must’ve shown on Midori’s face, because the attractive man’s amused features corrected themselves into a concerned smile. “Not that you looked bad before.”
I… I think I need to scream into a pillow— “W-Wait, huh!?”
“Is there something surprising about what I said?”
“…Usually, people wouldn’t respond like that… Isn’t it weird for someone my age to be interested in those kinds of things?” Not that Midori wasn’t grateful to not be immediately judged for wearing a cute mascot T-shirt, but most strangers he spoke to took at least a double-take when they saw him wearing it.
“I see nothing wrong with having interests. I would even say that cute attire fits you very well.”
“Thanks…? Wait, w-what’s that supposed to mea—”
The front door of the store swung open, the bell’s ring startling the young greengrocer. “Midori! What is taking you so long out here? Is the package too heavy?” Mom paused as she eyed the package in the mailman’s hands, her gaze then slowly drifting up to his face. She glanced at Midori for a moment, the gears in her head visibly turning. “Oh…? Oh! Oh…”
“W-Wait, Okaa-san—”
“Are you the mailman?” Mom asked sweetly. “I’m not used to seeing that uniform.”
“Yes, I am.” The mailman pulled back the cuff of his left sleeve, exposing a vintage leather analog watch, and he smiled apologetically. “I hate to cut this short, but I am on a time limit. I was ahead of schedule, and I would rather excel at the efficiency the postal service expects of me.”
Midori sighed. “S-Sorry, for wasting your time…”
The charming newcomer smiled. “I had not meant it like that.” He handed the package to Midori before jogging over to his bike.
“Ow!?” Midori rubbed his side and glared at his mother. “What the heck was that for!?”
“Oh, for heaven’s— SIR! I don’t believe we ever caught your name!” Mom called out, while Midori looked like he wanted to sink into the ground for the next minute.
Feet already in motion, the mailman abruptly pulled the brakes, staring at the feisty woman like a deer in the headlights. His expression softened into a humored smile. “You may address me as Fushimi.”
“Thank you, dearie!”
With a polite nod, Fushimi cycled down the road, presumably to his next drop-off location.
Mom proudly propped her hands on her hips. “And that’s how it’s done! Goodness, you’d think we didn’t even raise you with how meek you are.”
Midori flushed as he avoided his mother’s judgmental gaze. “T-That’s just the mailman! Can’t I get charged for harassment by bothering him when he’s just trying to do his job!?”
“Tsk. You think a person with a job that requires you to constantly be on the move would spare a couple minutes to make chit-chat with just anyone!?”
“Well, when you put it that way… I guess you might have a point…”
“Of course I do! Now, what are we standing around for!? Help me unpack what’s inside the package that kind gentleman gave us!”
“G-Got it…”
“Sorry about last time…”
“Hm?” Fushimi tilted his head, an endearingly playful gesture despite his more stoic demeanor. “What are you apologizing for?”
“What for?” Midori grumbled. “My mom, obviously. She’s just… like that.”
“Like what?” Fushimi’s eyes crinkled kindly. “She seemed to be a very nice woman.”
“Still… I know she can be pretty forward…” Just like you rehearsed in your room one hundred times, Midori…! “And I, uh, wanna give you something. F-For your troubles.”
“Oh? There’s no need—”
“Please.” Midori coughed awkwardly into his hand, desperately trying to ignore the burning tinging his ears. “Um, I mean, y-you don’t have to if you really don’t want to, but…” The greengrocer picked up a small box of vegetables that he spent way too long making sure were the best of their most recent harvest. “I’d really appreciate it if you took it…” Dang it, my face feels hot… Stop it, face! I don’t want to be emotionally read!
Fushimi stared wide-eyed at the box as if he’d never received a gift before… or maybe Midori was just creeping him out with the sudden offer. “Are you sure I can accept this? At least allow me to compensate you somehow.”
“J-Just put them to good use, okay?”
“I…” Fushimi put the package he was holding onto the ground and cautiously took the gift from Midori’s hands. “I promise to bring the best out of their flavor.” It was probably just the sun, but it almost seemed like the mailman’s pale face reddened slightly. “Thank you… Takamine-sama.”
“S-Sama!? I… Anytime, Fushimi ♪”
“So… how were the veggies?” Midori nonchalantly leaned against the storefront wall as if his heart wasn’t about to beat straight out of his chest.
“They were wonderful,” Fushimi responded, almost strained.
Why isn’t he looking me in the eye…? “Is… Is that all…? Did you have any favorites?”
“O-Oh, well… the carrots were particularly satisfying to cut.”
“Um, what about how they tasted?”
“…”
“Fushimi…?”
Fushimi put down the package and bowed so deeply that it almost seemed like he folded in half. “I apologize!”
“W-What!?”
“I did use your ingredients… but I used them to cook a meal for someone else! He did say that it tasted exquisite though! Especially the corn. I would rather not have used your ingredients, but he was getting impatient, and we were not at the main estate, so I quickly prepared something with what I had on hand.”
Huh…? “Main estate?” Does he have a job other than being a mailman? Midori huffed. “Well, there’s no helping it then. Guess I’ll have to give you another batch of veggies next time you come around.”
“Takamine-sama? At least allow me to pay you the second time. Surely, it would unwise not to take advantage of the value of goods as high quality as yours.”
Midori adamantly shook his head. “If you really don’t want me to put the veggies to waste, then don’t make me have to get a third batch for you.”
“Of course. Until next time.” Fushimi departed with another deep bow.
Waiting until he could no longer see the stupidly handsome man biking away, Midori sighed and brought the package inside. “Ah!?”
Mom was standing right on the other side of the door, completely unfazed by the fact that her beanpole of a son just crashed into her, a smirk painted across her face. “So, that’s where the vegetables went last time, huh?”
“S-Sorry for not telling you, Okaa-san…”
“Trying to woo a man with veggies? Guess we raised you right after all.”
“O-Okaa-san! I’m not…!”
“Next time, let me help you out. Can’t have my son giving our family a bad name, now, can we? The Takamine family prides themselves on those veggies!”
“R-Right…”
“Okaa-san…”
“Hm?” Mom didn’t bother looking up from the cutting board as she and Midori prepped dinner. “Don’t think that I didn’t notice you stopped moving. You can talk and work, can’t you?”
“Y-Yeah, sorry…”
“Now, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?”
This is either gonna sound so stupid, or… “Um, have we been getting more deliveries than usual, or is that just me?”
Mom grinned wide enough that Midori could see it even without her facing him. “And what if we have?”
“OKAA-SAN!?”
“Midori!” Heavy footsteps followed Dad’s journey to the kitchen. “Why on God’s green earth are you yelling that loud!? Did we not teach you what inside voices are!?”
Mom snorted into her hand, the traitorous mother that she was. “Dear, there’s no need to scold him this time. Midori’s been caught in the throes of puppy love!”
“Hm?” Dad’s eyes skeptically narrowed at his son. “Is this true?”
“Wha— I, uh, what!? Huh!?”
“I’ve seen it with my very own eyes. And the boy is quite a gentleman. Polite, kind, handsome… I’m sure Midori could tell you the same himself!” Her eyes were fixed on the cutting board, hands never leaving the carrot and the knife as she got her husband up to speed with Midori’s situation. She didn’t even have to turn around for Midori to know that her eyes held a glint of pride and mischief.
Midori prayed to whatever god there may be out there that he could disintegrate on the spot — anything to avoid the incoming interrogation he would no doubt be forced through for dinner.
“So.” Midori fixed Fushimi with a hard stare.
The mailman’s fortitude seemed to crumble under the greengrocer’s intense glare. “The vegetables you provided were wonderful, as expected.”
Midori eased up with a pleasant smile. “Good.”
“And for your troubles…” Fushimi fished his pockets and held out a small item. “Please. I know you said not to compensate you for the produce. However…”
“I told you that you didn’t need to…” Midori gaped as he saw the small keychain in Fushimi’s slightly calloused hands. “I-Is that Carrotian!?” He leaned over to inspect it. “A third edition too!? Considering that manufacturing only lasted for a couple months due to this series having less popularity than the second and even the fourth generation, and the fact that this franchise favors the other yuru-chara more… not to mention that Carrotian is relatively popular among children, so the small amount of merch he does get becomes way harder to obtain…! Uwahhh… This doesn’t make any sense! How did you get this!?”
Fushimi stared back, wide-eyed. “I… have not seen a shine that could rival the sun before. Until now, at least.”
“Huh?”
“Ignore what I just said.”
“Okay…” Midori turned his focus back to the keychain that was practically calling out to him. Uu, but I was supposed to refuse any way he wanted to pay me back… And he already got it too… I can’t imagine how difficult it was to get this, and I don’t want all his hard work to go to waste… He gingerly held up the memorabilia offered to him. “Thank you, thank you, thankyou, thankyouthankyou!!! I’ll treasure this for the rest of my life! But d-don’t do this again, okay!?”
“Very well. If that is what you wish, Takamine-sama.” Though the glimmer in Fushimi’s eyes said otherwise.
With that odd start to their relationship, Midori and Fushimi always talked during deliveries until the mailman remembered that he had a schedule to keep… Midori really hoped that the other man never questioned why the Takamine family was having so many orders delivered to them in such a short span of time.
“Did you enjoy your movie marathon?”
“My annoying senpai wouldn’t stop talking over the film about all the types of effects they used in it, but I guess… it wasn’t that bad. And it was nice to see everyone else too.”
Fushimi poorly concealed his suppressed grin with a shaky hand. “So, you really do care about him.”
“W-WHAT!?”
“…And she wouldn’t stop talking my ear off even though I told her I’d give her a refund. I would’ve kicked her out if she wasn’t a returning customer.”
“Do you deal with customers like that often?”
“Thankfully, no. She actually gets along with my parents, but I would like it better if she didn’t talk to me the same way they do. She’s basically my aunt at this point… Maybe if I was also a mailman, I could just drop the box and run…”
Fushimi chuckled. “Depending on the package, some of them will still need to be delivered by hand.”
“Ours don’t need to, though. At this point, you know our hours and that we’re usually in the store by now, so I’m surprised you don’t just buzz the doorbell, drop the package off, and go…”
“I would not be able to speak with you if I did that though.”
“A-Ah, right…”
“Is your bike okay, Fushimi? You keep glancing at it like it’ll get stolen if you look away for too long…”
“I apologize for my inattentiveness.” The mailman sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. “It is… a complicated manner.”
“Um… well, you can try to explain it to me… Although I can’t guarantee that I’ll understand…”
Fushimi sighed. “I will do my best to explain. To preface, though being a mailman may not appear to be the most labor-intensive job, I am in fact decently muscular.”
“Yeah, I noticed.”
“Really?”
“How could I not when—” Wait… I can’t just say I watch the way his arms move when he’s carrying a package…!
“Is something the matter, Takamine-sama?”
“N-No… Just ignore me… Go on with your story…”
“…? Very well. The issue with having built enough muscle is that recently, I have happened to strain the bicycle when using it.”
“H-How fast are you biking!? At the speed of a rocket!?”
“That is irrelevant. The issue is with being able to find pedals that will not crumble under the force I apply.”
“Maybe you could just slow down…? You already go fast enough to be ahead of schedule, right? That’s how you have time to talk to me right now.”
“Yes, but…” Fushimi seemed unusually embarrassed. “I value every second more I can earn.”
“I…” Midori flushed a matching shade of red. You really need to stop saying things like that… It’s not good for my heart…
“School will reconvene soon, will it not?”
“Ughhhh, don’t remind me… Summer break ended way too fast…”
“I happen to be decently proficient in mathematics should you ever require assistance. Not to mention that the material is still fresh in my mind, as I only graduated last year. I can lend you my contact inf—”
“That’s actually one of the only subjects I don’t have problems with…”
“Oh.”
Midori jolted as he realized he basically just shot down a golden opportunity. Wait, if I pretend to be bad at math, then maybe I can spend more time with him! “Um, b-but it’s my final year, so who knows how hard it could be… I’d appreciate any help I could get!”
Fushimi’s dejected expression immediately brightened. “Very well. I cannot wait.”
As he laid on his stomach, Midori screamed into his pillow and kicked his legs in the air, pausing only to stare at his phone. He… had a guy’s number… in his phone…
He started screaming again.
“MIDORI!?” Dad yelled down the hall.
“SORRY!” the overwhelmed teen yelled back.
Right.
There was no reason to scream. Nothing happened yet. Major, major emphasis on yet. And staring at the blank chat wasn’t going to get him anywhere.
…
What was he even supposed to say!? How did normal people start conversations!? Midori barely liked socializing with anyone, the ones he probably interacted with most being Shinobu, Shinkai, Hinata, and Hajime… which was more than he even expected from himself. He did technically talk to more people… but some of them definitely pushed more for the relationship than he did.
Animals… cute things… veggies… Would Fushimi want to even hear about stuff like that!? Well, he seemed to enjoy listening to Midori drone on about mundane things in his life, so… Maybe, just to test the waters…
Before he could overthink it, Midori sent some newly released splash art of a yuru-chara he liked. He faceplanted into his pillow, hoping that he could suffocate before suffering any potential embarrassment.
Bzzzt!
“AH!?” Midori scrambled for his phone to see Fushimi’s reply…
A blushing emoji.
Blushing.
Midori did it… He… socialized.
“MIDORI, IF YOU DON’T STOP SCREAMING THIS INSTANT—”
“TAKAMINNNNN!” Akehoshi bounded around the shop, randomly picking up and not-so-gently putting down the fruits and vegetables on display. “When are you getting off shift? Sucks that you gotta work on weekends when you already have school…”
Midori groaned pitifully. “I’ll tell you when I get off.”
“But that defeats the whole point of you telling me in advance!” Akehoshi indignantly pouted. “If you don’t tell me, I’m sicking Daikichi on all your veggies!”
“Isn’t that illegal!?”
Daikichi playfully wagged his tail, innocent, beady eyes carrying a threat of violence as he stared dead into Midori’s soul.
Mom came out from the backroom, stretching with a satisfied sigh. “You should go out with your friend, Midori! You’re always complaining about having to work in the store anyway.”
“B-But, Okaa-san…” How am I supposed to be here when Fushimi gets here? I could just text him that I’m not going to be here, but…
“Oh, I see.” Mom giggled into her hand. “You want to wait until that guy shows up, don’t you?”
“Don’t refer to him like that…”
“Who? WHO!?” Akehoshi shouted way too loudly for ten in the morning. “Who’s ‘that guy’?
As if on cue, the doorbell’s familiar ring sounded.
“Oh no…”
“Is that him!?”
“No!” Midori denied as his mom shouted, “Yes!”
“Let’s go, Daikichi!” Akehoshi cheered, sidestepping Midori’s attempt to grab the collar of the trickster’s shirt. “We’re gonna judge this guy ourselves!”
“NO!” Midori crouched on the floor, head in his hands. “I’m gonna die. I’m actually gonna die. And I’ll kill myself if I don’t die.”
“Don’t say that; you’re being dramatic.” When her son glared at her, Mom only rolled her eyes. “Now, shoo. A gentleman shouldn’t leave his future boyfriend waiting.”
“WHAT!? Okay, that’s it. I’m getting out of here.”
“Good luuuck ♪”
When Midori stepped outside, he could immediately tell something was wrong. Where’s Akehoshi-senpai and Daikichi? And Fushimi? He peered down both ends of the street.
“AIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!?”
“Huh!?” That came from my right! Thankful for once in his life that he had long legs, Midori headed toward the fearful shriek, the autumn leaves’ crunching barely audible over the blood rushing in his ears. S-Something terrible happened, didn’t it!? Did someone get hit by a car!? Or maybe there was a gang fight!? Or maybe…! He turned the corner, and—
“D-Daikichi!” Akehoshi held back his barking corgi. “Sorry about that, mister! I swear he’s nice! He just gets excited when he meets new people…”
“WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING!?” Midori stood between Fushimi and the ginger duo. “You’re leaving Fushimi alone, got that!?”
Akehoshi’s ears metaphorically flattened to match Daikichi’s. “Sorry, Takamin… I didn’t think Daikichi would get so out of control… But don’t worry! We’re gonna go get a gift right now to make up for it! Just wait here, you two! WE’RE OFF!!!”
Don’t hurry back… Midori moved to comfort the shaken mailman. “Are you okay, Fushimi!?”
“Y-Yes…” Though the stoic man quickly regained his composure, it was obvious how humiliated he felt by the flush running up his neck. “I apologize for showing you such an unsightly side of myself. To fear such an ‘adorable’ creature…”
“There’s nothing wrong with having a fear of dogs,” Midori assured. “Um, the dog yuru-chara I’ve shown you before didn’t unsettle you, did they?”
Fushimi shook his head with a sad smile. “No need to worry about that. I know dogs can be quite friendly creatures. Soft… Fluffy… Yet when I see one, I cannot help but rely on my base instincts. I dearly hope I can make it up to those two.”
“Trust me; you don’t owe those two anything…”
“And Takamine-sama… thank you.”
“H-Huh!? For what?”
“For not judging me. And for protecting me.”
“W-Well, firstly, I can’t really judge you when I like yuru-chara… And secondly, I didn’t really do anything… It’s not like you were in any real danger.”
“Even so, you still managed to make me feel much safer. And I have never seen you so forthright either. You are truly my hero ♪”
“W-What!?” Midori flushed, at a loss for words. I don’t think I have the qualities deserving of being called a hero… but I guess I can’t say I don’t like the sound of it…
Midori watched a puff of his cold breath dissipate as the upcoming winter made its presence known. Time passed by so quickly that he already had to start greeting Fushimi at the door with an extra layer. “I’ve been wondering…”
“Hm?”
“Why do you wear a different mailman uniform?”
Fushimi hummed thoughtfully. “If I may be honest, I would rather don the typical mailman uniform in favor of avoiding the suspicious stares I occasionally garner.”
“Why don’t they let you?”
“The young master insisted that his butler not be confused for ‘any old, wrinkly postal plebeian’. His words, not mine.”
“Butler!?”
“Of the Himemiyas. I assume you are familiar with them.”
Midori gaped. “The Himemiyas!? Is the heir that person you always mention having to take care of!? Wait a minute! T-That explains how you got that rare Carrotian merch, why you’re always the mailman delivering to our store, and…! Well…! Everything about you, basically… I thought you were just a babysitter on the side or something.”
“That description is still not too far off. Anyway, you know of Himemiya Tori?”
“I don’t know the heir personally, but my annoying senior is somehow acquainted with him…”
Fushimi smiled knowingly. “Are you perhaps referring to Morisawa-sama?”
“Ugh, yeah… Wait, I never mentioned his name before… Y-You know him!?”
“We have exchanged pleasantries. He is… quite an interesting character.” Fushimi’s eyes glinted with a hint of mischief. “Morisawa-sama happened to mention his ‘beloved junior’ who loved mascots and worked as a greengrocer… We can both take an educated guess as to who he was speaking of, Takamine-sama.”
“H-HOLD ON! How long have you known who I am!?”
“Hm… I had an inkling as to who you were the first time we met one another. Though it was not until our second encounter that I was positive.”
Kill me now… “I can’t believe you knew who I was, but I didn’t know who you were… Guh… I demand a do-over…”
Fushimi fondly smiled. “If that is what you wish.” The distractingly handsome mailman outstretched a slightly calloused hand. “It is a great pleasure to make your acquaintance, Takamine-sama. You may address me as Fushimi. Fushimi Yuzuru.”
The phone only rang once before… Click. “Takamine! You’re never the one to call me! Is this a sign that my beloved junior is warming up to me!? I knew it was only a matter of time! HA HA—”
“YOU KNEW THIS ENTIRE TIME, DIDN’T YOU!?”
“HAAH!?”
Midori… may have let his emotions get the better of him. He should’ve thought of the potential consequences of yelling at his insufferable senior over the phone.
After Morisawa profusely apologized, he insisted that everyone involved have an outing.
Himemiya and Fushimi already agreed… so what was Midori supposed to do? Say no?
One, Morisawa would definitely knock down Midori’s door and kidnap him (while his parents waved him off). Two, Himemiya would do who-knows-what with the money and influence he has (to which his parents would shell him out to work in the Himemiya mines or something). And three, most importantly, he would be disappointing Fushimi (and Midori’s pretty sure he’d actually be disowned after that).
So, there Midori was, pressed against the back of the sofa provided by the Himemiya karaoke room, next to Himemiya Tori himself, watching Morisawa belt out whatever random song he selected. “Um, Himemiya… sama?”
Himemiya’s nose wrinkled in distaste. “Please refer to me less formally, Takamine. This is a casual meeting, after all.”
“R-Right… Himemiya-kun?”
“Mm… acceptable.”
Midori gulped anxiously, trying to calm down his shaking sweaty hands. He was secretly grateful that Fushimi had offered to get drinks for everyone, or else Midori would be making a fool of himself in front of the butler, as if Midori hadn’t already done enough of that already… Then again, that meant his buffer was gone. What do rich kids even talk about!?
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
“U-Uh… how do you feel about yuru-chara?”
Himemiya’s expression was unreadable as he stared back at Midori, only spiking the uneasy teen’s anxiety further. “Well, while I’ve had to forgo those types of things as I grew up, I know my sister happens to be a fan of them. Maybe you two would get along.”
I… I think that’s a good thing?
Himemiya smiled softly.
Yes!
“I have our drinks,” Fushimi announced with a tray full of glasses in his hands.
“GREAT TIMING!” Morisawa proclaimed. “I’ve just finished another song, and this hero needs to be replenished!”
Hero? More like clown…
“Takamine! Fushimi! You two take a turn up there!”
“H-Huh!?” Midori flushed. “You want me to sing!?”
“Of course! I’ve heard your voice before, and I know it’s quite good!”
“Bleh…”
“Is something the matter, Takamine-sama?” Fushimi smirked. “Or is it that you would loathe to duet with me?”
T-This guy… Why is he on Morisawa-senpai’s side!? Everyone’s ganging up on me! “O-Okay, fine… I’ll do it…” Midori pointedly glared at Morisawa. “But only because Fushimi said so!”
“You. Takamine.” Himemiya pulled the measly greengrocer away from where the other two were engaged in a very one-sided conversation about tokusatsu films.
“M-Me!?” Midori made eye contact with Fushimi, who just shrugged. “Um, do you need something from me? I don’t think there’s much I can offer—”
“I approve.”
“Eh!?”
“You heard me correctly.” Himemiya huffed. “You’d have to be an idiot to not see the synergy between the two of you. You’re well-tuned to each other’s behaviors, too. It’s rare to see Yuzuru so comfortable bantering with someone. The only other person… Anyway, just know that if you do anything to hurt my best butler, I won’t hesitate to pull out the guillotine.”
“T-Thank you, Himemiya-kun!”
The heir sighed. “…I should honestly be the one thanking you. He’s been so dedicated to taking care of me that I was afraid he wouldn’t be able to find anyone for himself. It’d be okay if he wasn’t interested in finding a partner, but it felt more as though he was forsaking his own emotional needs to support our family.” He clenched a fist. “I wish my parents didn’t raise him to be that way… Take care of him as much as he takes care of you.”
“R-Right! I’ve always been taught that a relationship always goes both ways.”
Himemiya smiled. “You must have had great parents.”
“Well, I don’t know if I’d say all that…”
Midori grunted as he took the package. Okaa-san is having way too much fun using me as an excuse to buy stuff for herself…
Fushimi’s brows furrowed worriedly. “Do you require any assistance bringing that inside, Takamine-sama?”
“Nah, I’ve got it!”
“If you insist…”
“Oh, by the way… Why’d you become a mailman? I know you don’t need the money, right? Himemiya doesn’t seem like the type of people that would make you work for your own income…”
The butler chuckled. “The young master wished for me to keep experiencing the world outside of the Himemiya manor, so I chose this job. As a mailman, I would not only be able to keep my body moving, but I could also see you and several others that I have become acquainted with.”
“Don’t you worry about sparing time for them too?”
“Not as much as my time with you.”
“Ghh…” How does he say things like that out of nowhere…? Ah, and Christmas is coming up in a week… Will I really be satisfied with only giving him more vegetables as a gift…?
“Midori, what’s that in your arms?” Mom’s eyebrows were raised in surprise.
“What do you mean? It’s the package Fushimi dropped off today.”
“…I didn’t order a package to be dropped off today.”
“Huh? Then what’s…” Midori flipped over the box to read the label. “It’s… a Christmas gift!?” That sneaky… I underestimated you, Fushimi. But a part of him was proud that the formal mailman seemed to be steadily more comfortable being playful with him.
Mom looked unimpressed. “You didn’t even consider that he’d give you a present on Christmas Eve?”
“I-I mean, we just gave him more veggies, so I don’t really think I deserved anything in return… I guess that explains why the box is so thin…”
“Well? Open it!”
“Okay, okay! Gimme a sec! Geez…” Midori pulled the box cutters out of one of the kitchen’s drawers and sliced the package open with practiced ease. “It’s… HUH!? T-THIS…!”
Click. “Takamine-sama? Apologies for the background noise. I am aiding in preparation for the Christmas party that will be held at the Himemiya manor tomorrow.”
“FUSHIMI, FUSHIMI, FUSHIMI! YOU…!”
“Is everything alright, Takamine-sama?”
“YOUR GIFT!!!”
A staticky chuckle went through the phone. “I take it that you are pleased with what I made?”
“Y-YEAH! You got a yuru-chara frame around it with all the characters I love! The thing you framed… Is this a brand-new yuru-chara inspired thing you drew?”
“…”
“…Uh, Fushimi?”
“That was meant to be Carrotian… To commemorate one of our first meetings…”
“O-Oh? Oh! I think I was just tilting my head the wrong way! You’re such a talented artist! And, uh, are you going to be free tomorrow!? I wanna treat you with something better than veggies!”
“There is really no need, Takamine-sama. And to answer your question… my services will most likely be required here on Christmas day. Apologies…”
“N-No… It’s okay…” Midori paused as he heard yelling on the other side of the phone. “Is…uh, everything going well on your end? That sounds like Himemiya-kun.” He pressed his ear against the speaker, hearing a faint, “Are you sure?” …Does this count as eavesdropping?
“Apologies, Takamine-sama. It appears I was incorrect.”
“AUGH!? I mean, uh, it’s okay… What were you incorrect about exactly?”
“It appears that Young Master has taken it upon himself to personally exile me from the manor on Christmas Day. Though it is my sworn duty to serve him, he has used that very principle against me… I cannot say this is the worst punishment.”
“A-Are you saying what I think you’re saying!?”
Fushimi’s smile was practically visible from the other side of the phone. “Yes. Shall we meet at ten in the morning tomorrow? In front of your house?"
“Yeah, that’s good!” It took all of Midori’s willpower to avoid squealing loud enough for the world to hear him. “See you tomorrow!” He jumped into his bed and furiously rolled back-and-forth like the energetic kid he wasn’t.
“Where are we going, Yuzuru?”
Yuzuru led Midori by hand into the Himemiya greenhouse. “There is something I wish to show you. I am confident it will be to your liking.” When he pushed open the door, he stepped aside and allowed Midori to take the first step inside.
“W-What is this!?”
By what must have been magic, the inside of the greenhouse was much larger than the inside, akin to a grand cathedral. Although the building’s exterior was transparent windows that allowed plenty of sunlight in, on the inside, all the walls had become pastel pink, patterned with pictures of several popular characters from the shows he watched.
“Hello there!” a squeaky voice greeted.
“H-Huh?”
“Down here!”
Midori scanned the ground and gasped as a small carrot walked up to him. “C-Carrotian!? W-What are you doing here!? How are you walking!? How are you real!?”
“Silly Midori! Anything is possible here in Veggieland!”
“Veggieland!?”
Yuzuru stepped behind Carrotian and spread his arms out. “Are you ready, Midori? Here in Veggieland, all your dreams can come true.” From behind him, a bright light began to shine and envelop the entire greenhouse.
“W-WhaaAHHH…?!” Midori shielded his eyes as he was thrown into a world he could only dream of being in… He could only dream of being in… Dream…
Fushimi breathed out sharply as his shoulders shook. “Please, tell me more.”
Midori pouted. “No. I can tell you’re already laughing at me.”
After Fushimi picked up Midori, who spent his morning hours checking his appearance and asking for advice from his mom, the pair decided to head down to the shopping center as a not-date. Was it a date? Midori wasn’t the type to get too hopeful, and he wasn’t about to ask and make the entire mood awkward. Nevertheless, being surrounded by couples who also decided to spend the morning there made him a bit self-conscious.
The butler’s voice shook as he contained himself. “I-It is perfectly natural to have odd dreams. After all, it is only a disorganized conglomerate of the thoughts processing within our unconsciousness.”
“Stop trying to make me feel better! Ghhh… Well, I guess there was something else kinda weird about the dream…”
“Oh?”
“I called you by your first name.”
“O-Oh?” Fushimi immediately sobered up. “Is that so?”
“Kinda funny how I didn’t even think about that when I was in the dream… Though I guess that most weird things wouldn’t catch my attention in that space anyway…”
“…It felt natural to call me by my first name?”
Midori flushed at the implications of his own words. “W-Well, that’s ‘cause it was a dream, and I guess I thought it wouldn’t be too far of a stretch?” What the heck am I saying!? “Why are you getting so invested all of a sudden, anyway!?”
“May we… test that theory?”
“W-WHAT!?” The lanky teenager then shrunk at the confused gazes of the passing couples.
“Apologizes. That was rather rude of me to suddenly suggest.”
“N-No, it’s okay! I mean, we’ve known each other for about half a year at this point, which is enough for me to trust you more than my over-familiar senpais. Just… gimme a sec to mentally prepare…”
“Very well.” Fushimi kept his gaze facing forward as Midori took a deep breath.
“Y…” Midori gulped. “Yuzuru.” He gasped in horror as Fushimi tripped over what looked like thin air and sprawled out across the pavement. “Fushimi!?”
Fushimi raised a thumbs-up, still face down on the ground.
“U-Um, he’s okay!” Midori assured the concerned onlookers. “Fushimi!?”
“Forgive me, Takamine-sama.” Fushimi’s voice was muffled as he spoke facedown. “I was ill-prepared.”
“H-Huh!?”
As if nothing happened, Fushimi stood back up and dusted himself off. “It appears we will have to wait a while longer before we can achieve a first-name basis, for both of our sakes.”
“I… don’t understand what just happened.”
“Haha!” a harsh voice interjected. “Making a fool of yourself as usual!” From out of nowhere, an arrogant-faced man stepped in front of Midori and Fushimi. The stranger had shoulder-length magenta hair and sharp blue eyes framed by rectangular-looking glasses, and he wore an open gray blazer with black buttons marking the chest pockets and lining the closure. Strangely, combined with the plain navy-blue undershirt and plain blue jeans, the entire outfit came off almost patronizingly formal. “I expected more from you, Yuzuru.”
“Ibara. Here to bring down the festive mood, I see.” Somehow, the way Fushimi glared at the use of his first name was even more alarming than his reaction to Midori.
Ibara scoffed. “On the contrary. I believe Christmas is always one of the most opportune times for profit. And that profit happens to increase when people are enjoying themselves.”
Ibara…? Where have I heard that name before… “O-Oh, um, excuse me!”
“Hm?” The man’s viper-like eyes locked onto the anxious greengrocer.
“There is no need to address this person, Takamine-sama.” Fushimi instinctively took a step ahead of Midori.
“U-Uh… It’s just that… I’ve never met you personally before, but you’re Saegusa Ibara, one of our supporters, right? My name is Takamine Midori.” Midori hoped to lighten the situation a bit, but it didn’t appear to work — at first glance, at least.
Ibara’s eyes lit up, smirking as he glanced at Fushimi. “Yes, that sounds correct. The Takamine business, also known as one of the greatest greengrocer businesses in Japan.”
“A-Ah… I don’t know if I’d put it that way…”
“No need to downplay your family’s efforts, Takamine-shi! I promise you that I only take interest in the most reliable and profitable business, and I happen to know that despite how modest a profession it may sound, the Takamine greengrocer business is one I have never regretted investing in.”
Midori flushed proudly. “O-Oh, thanks…! Um… AH!?” He yelped as Fushimi yanked his arm, trying not to trip as he was pulled away. “Not so hard! Y-You’re hurting me…!”
“Ah.” Fushimi immediately let go. “I-I apologize. I do not know what—”
“Tsk, tsk.” Saegusa disapprovingly shook his head, still with a condescending smile stretched across his face. “Not the perfectionist you advertise yourself as, hm? Perhaps your training as a butler hasn’t serviced you as much as your military—”
“Be quiet,” Fushimi hissed.
“Takamine-shi, do you feel safe hanging out with a man who didn’t hesitate to hurt you?”
“U-Um… He didn’t mean to…!”
“Leave us alone,” Fushimi growled.
Saegusa gasped in mock offense. “Does catching up with an old friend really—”
“We’re on a date.”
Midori gaped.
Saegusa shut up, eyes wide.
“Now, if you may excuse us.” Fushimi gently tugged on Midori’s wrist, snapping the boy out of his frozen state as he dazedly followed.
“Well then! Until next time, Takamine-shi,” Saegusa called after them, his figure disappearing in the crowd. “I salute! ☆”
“R-Right…” Midori half-heartedly returned the gesture before worriedly staring at Fushimi’s back. “Um… so…”
“I… would rather have you not seen me lose my cool again.” Fushimi stopped walking, turning around and holding both of Midori’s hands. “Ibara and I… have some history.”
“I could tell…” Midori kept his eyes locked on their hands, too nervous to meet Fushimi’s expression. Despite how loud the festive people around them were, the silence between the two of them was even heavier. “U-Uh, so, what you said before…”
“…I simply wanted Ibara to stop talking, and that was the fastest excuse I could think of.”
Midori tried clearing the lump forming in his throat. “R-Right… That’s the only reason you would say that…”
“Takamine-sama…?”
Midori adamantly refused to meet Fushimi’s eyes. “I-I mean, you wouldn’t want to go out with me, right?” Stop talking. “It’s not like you feel the same way that I do.” Stop talking. “Who would even be interested in someone like me?” Stop talking. “Why would you want to—”
“Takamine-sama.”
Midori forced his eyes up.
Fushimi stared back, awed, face red from the cold. “Takamine-sama. I hope I am not making any baseless assumptions, but… You also have, ah… feelings for me? The same ones I have for you?”
“F-Feelings!? Wait, so…”
“Yes?”
“I did all that angsting when my feelings were requited this entire time!?” Midori covered his face. “Uu~ I wanna die…”
Fushimi chuckled. “You would not be able to date me if you do die.”
Midori squeaked, “Y-You’re right…”
“TAKEMINEEEEEE!!!!!” a forebodingly familiar boomingly voice exclaimed.
“Not again…” Midori groaned.
Morisawa barreled through the crowd, even accidentally splitting up a couple holding hands, both of whom shot him dirty looks. “You told me you were too busy to hang out with us today, but I never imagined you would be with Fushimi. If you wanted to invite him, you could have just said so! HA HA HA! ☆”
Midori peeked past his senior to where Tetora, Shinobu, and Shinkai were huddled together like penguins. “Actually, Morisawa-senpai…”
“Hm?”
“We’re on a date.” Midori clutched Fushimi’s hand, and he hoped he could attribute his deepening flush to the freezing weather.
Morisawa, like Saegusa, froze in shock, which Midori took as an opportunity to hurriedly lead Fushimi away.
“Takamine-sama…” Fushimi chided, amusement leaking from his voice.
“Sorry, I just… wanted to spend more time alone with you…” What the heck am I saying!? Ghh… Might as well go all the way. “And I didn’t want to be the only who said what you did to Saegusa… Guess I should thank him for accidentally pushing us together.”
“I am hesitant to attribute any fortune to Ibara, but I suppose you have a point. His existence has led to one good happenstance. Now that his job is finished, he can leave this world.”
“W-Why are you saying that so ominously!?” Midori huffed. “Anyway, I still have to give you that Christmas present of yours…”
“Is this the gift you were speaking of, Takamine-sama?”
“Huh?”
“A date.” Fushimi smiled, leading the other by hand as they continued down the vast shopping venue. “I believe this is the best Christmas gift I have ever received.”
“Y-You…!” Midori pushed past his boyfriend, roughly tugging him along. “I’m leading this date now, got it!? Stop saying these smooth pick-up lines!”
“Have I not already ‘picked you up’ though?”
“Be quiet!”
Fushimi laughed freely, louder than Midori heard the reserved man ever laugh before. “If that is what you wish ♪”
“Okaa-saaaaan…”
“What. Midori.” Mom looked up from the book she was reading. Since the shop was closed for the day, she was taking her time getting through the bookshelf that rarely got any attention. “You look like a sad puppy. And not in a cute way.”
Ouch… “Are we getting any packages today?”
“Midori.”
“Y-Yeah?”
Mom rubbed her forehead, muttering something about problem children. “Are you asking me if you have an excuse to see your boyfriend?”
“…”
“Why do you need to ask me!? Actually, why do you need an excuse at all!? Just text him.”
“…”
Ding! Ding!
“COMING!” Midori nearly tripped over himself as he scampered to the shoes, bounded down the steps, and swung the door open so quickly that it almost rebounded back into his face until a hand stopped it. “ACK!?”
“Enthusiastic today, Takamine?”
“What are you doing here, Fushimi?”
“I have a package for you.”
But Okaa-san said… Midori skeptically took the box, instantly flipping it over to read the sender’s name. “W-Wha—!? Fushimi, this is from you!”
The mailman snorted uncharacteristically. “I suppose I could not pull the same trick on you twice.”
“Why are you giving me a gift though!? What’s the occasion!? Did I forget a holiday?”
“Does there need to be an occasion?”
Midori raised a suspicious eyebrow.
Fushimi’s calm face slowly began tinting a pink hue the longer his boyfriend scrutinized him. “…It was our one-week anniversary?”
“Huh!?” Midori shyly hid his face behind the gift. “Y-You can’t make this a pattern, okay!? I know you’ve got plenty of money already in the Himemiya family, but you’re not some s-sugar daddy, okay!?”
“Sugar… what?”
“AUGH, NOTHING! GOODBYE! AND WE’RE GOING OUT AFTER YOUR SHIFT IS DONE!” Midori turned on his heel and slammed the door shut, sliding against it onto the floor. “I hate how bad he is for my heart,” he muttered.
“And I love how bad you are for mine,” Fushimi said through the door.
“Y-YOU! GO AWAY! It’s much easier for you to be suave when we’re not talking face to face, huh!?” Midori hugged his prized parcel tightly. “Just you wait! I’ll get you back for this!”
“I am looking forward to it, Takamine ♪”
Midori waited for the sounds of Fushimi biking away before letting himself breathe again. “Yeah, me too,” he whispered to the box, a fond smile growing on his face. “Me too…”