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It was a simple day after all; the trees were rustling, the sea smelt like comfort and home. Another normal and indifferent day for Korekishi Eugene.
“Will you go out with me?”
So when a guy with deep black hair and very almond shaped eyes, who also happens to be another school’s star player of the basketball team, to suddenly ambush Korekishi in the school gates to offer him a box of chocolates, this was definitely not a normal day.
At all.
“Uh, what do you mean, Kenji-kun?” was the only thing Korekishi can pathetically mutter, gazes are piercing them from every direction, other students wearing the Kamakura uniform are chattering around them. Korekishi managed to conjure up the most polite smile he can possible manage, the attention was not unwanted but unexpected, Korekishi has been in the limelight ever since he could walk so facing stares and gazes of murmuring crowd were practically second nature to him, but this was different.
This isn’t floods of admiration or felicitations that he’s used to but buzzes of gossip, it made him feel unease.
“I have a game this saturday, I was wondering if you can attend and we can get coffee after. You’re probably busy but..” The brown eyed boy paused, seemingly embarrassed but choked it down anyway. “If you have time, I would really appreciate that.”
“Sure, Kenji-kun. But is there a specific reason for this invite?” Korekishi smiled again, with the most eager smile he can muster and his eyes slightly crinkling in the sides, he tries not to show his endless confusion about this situation.
“Why? Well maybe because I like you.”
—
“Koreshiki seems to be getting a lot of attention, lately huh?”
Tamon lounged on the club room’s couch—a piece of furniture so old no one could guess its age. But, as always, Korekishi had taken charge, making sure they deep-cleaned it when they first got the space. That was just the kind of person he was, Mogari thought.
“Idiot, he’s always been popular.” Mogari heard a loud thud with an equally annoyed voice, Tamon got hit by a kick in the arm, Kanzaki was burning holes with his eyes. “And stop putting your damn feet on top of the couch!”
”Ow!” Tamon whinced in pain as he sits up while Kanzaki ignores him and took a seat next to him. And as if remote controlled, the two turned their heads to Mogari, as if they’re expecting him to answer a question.
Kanzaki broke the silence, “You aren’t gonna say anything about it?”
“Say what about what?” Mogari blissfully looked at them. They look at him like he’s a full blown idiot.
“Y’know, a basketball player from another school asked Korekishi out infront of the whole school.” Tamon rambles shamelessly, his tone resembling someone explaining a basic concept to a toddler.
“So? It always happens, it’s not like Koreshiki would accept. Besides, why would I ca—”
It was true—somewhat. Mogari knew Korekishi was popular and attractive. His locker was always overflowing on Valentine’s Day, and love letters found their way to him every other day. Mogari had grown used to it, but not enough to ignore the lingering bitterness on his tongue whenever he remembered that almost everyone wanted Korekishi. Not that he cared, of course—because up to this point, no one had ever come close. Korekishi would turn them down with that same polite smile and gentle vo—
“But Korekishi accepted it though?” Tamon broke his train of thought, his mouth snaps shut as he notices Mogari’s glare on him.
“What."
“I knew you were an idiot, I didn’t think you were in this level.” Kanzaki spoke with nonchalance, Mogari looked at them for any sign of playfulness, a prank maybe?
“It’s not like I need to know this anyway,” Mogari huffs and sat back down in his chair. They were definitely messing with him, Mogari doesn’t believe it.
They stopped pressing the matter when Korekishi suddenly entered the club door, apologizing profusely for being late, and pulled out his big notebook.
“Okay, so new exorcism plan. Mogari, listen!”
And Mogari almost forgot all about it.
—
This is not happening.
Korekishi accepted the invite out of pure instinct, he didn’t want to embarrass the poor guy infront of so many people. So now he’s thinking of a way to reject him as politely as he can possibly do, he’s not a stranger to confessions at all, even if it was from guys and girls alike and usually he knows handle it but why does this feel different this time? Maybe it’s because the one confessing to him is both an object of desire and envy. He’s heard about him, of course, Kenji Kurokawa was practically a celebrity around Kamakura. Is Korekishi a fraud for not liking him back? Nope, he’s not the type to enjoy leading people on when he truly knows he can’t return their feelings. Not now, not ever, not even in this school rooftop which is such a cliche setting to be talking about feelings, he thought.
Feelings. Korekishi has never returned anyone’s feelings, but did he even experience having feelings for someone? The subject is foreign to him, all his life, he had only focused on studying hard, getting to a good school in England, and contribute big things to humanity. Are feelings even included in that equation?
He stares at the box of chocolates in his hand, this morning; he got confessed to by the most popular guy in town, infront of his whole school and this afternoon, Mogari is acting strange.
Mogari had always been strange, but today, something about him unsettled Korekishi more than usual—even when it should be the least of his concerns. He could recognize the shift in Mogari just as easily as he grasped any subject he excelled in. Something had changed—within him, within Mogari, within them—and while Korekishi couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was, he didn’t hate it.
He notices. He notices when the knowing physical contact lingered longer than it should, when their eyes meet for a brief second while talking but the warmth and comfort persists, when just a brush of their hands felt electrifying. Of course, Korekishi noticed.
Eugene didn’t know how or when it started, is what he wanted to say but in fact he always knew when and how, it was clear as day.
That fateful morning, when he locked eyes with that madman—who was boldly challenging the open seas—something ignited within him. Korekishi wasn’t sure what it was, but he felt it. So when he found himself irritated, pushing back with a sharp “Ghosts aren’t real,” he wondered if he was trying to convince the other person—or himself.
He could barely sleep. For Eugene, the man had kind eyes, even if they were fire red but they hold so much determination, Eugene was captivated beyond comprehension. It didn’t help that this boy spent all night looking for a small charm in the middle of the ocean, using a small flashlight when he can’t even swim. Why? Because he knows it’s important to Eugene.
It was just a day, they had only known each other for a day, they didn’t even know each other’s full name but Eugene felt as if he waited for him all his life.
So to answer his own question, maybe feelings are an important variable of an equation. Far from it, it may even be the leading solution to the answer.
“Eh, Tamon?” Korekishi notices a tall shadow perking out, it unveils the green haired boy.
“KORESHIKI.” He straightened up, saying Eugene’s name with such rigid formality that it earned a chuckle from the latter.
“Is everything okay? Do you need anything?” Eugene asks Tamon in saccharined voice, but the voice who answered wasn’t Tamon at all.
“It’s about you and the ghost eating weirdo. What’s up with you two?”
Overwhelmed by the sudden voice and even more unexpected question, “Kanzaki? When did you get here?”
Kanzaki pointed at Tamon with his thumb finger and shrugged, “Was behind this bean pole,”
“Oh! Why the sudden question, Kanzaki?” Eugene mutted with a smile.
“Do you seriously not know?” Kanzaki asks with such a baffled face, Eugene feels like he committed a crime.
Tamon interjects, “What he means is—don’t you and Mogari like each other?” Tamon was blushing like crazy, maybe it was because of pure embarrassment in even asking the question in the first place, Tamon really has come far from the stuttering and timid boy from weeks ago. Wait, like each other?
“Tamon, what are you talking about?” Eugene tries his hardest to sound confident and assured with his voice and tone.
“I told you they both don’t know!” Kanzaki argued with the other.
“B-but, I get if it’s Mogari bur Koreshiki is smart! He must notice and must have known! Right!?” Tamon suddenly questions with so much panic in his eyes, is it really this serious to them?
Either way, Eugene can’t help but feel a warm heart on his face, “Calm down, you two. I’m just…” they looked at him. “Waiting. When he wants to talk about.”
Eugene finds himself looking down, the weight of his own words pressing on him. Does he sound too cocky for even assuming Mogari likes him back? Or worse—like he’s just waiting for Mogari to make a move, as if he’s so sure of it?
But he is.
Mogari has always been secretive, Eugene knows that. Yet, when it comes to genuine affection, Mogari is an open book. At first, Eugene might have denied even the slightest possibility, but Mogari never failed to treat him differently from everyone else. He never failed to say the right words, to show just how much he cared. He never failed to act on instinct, always doing whatever it took to make Eugene happy.
He had always been—
What has Eugene been doing to show his feelings anyway?
Then a daunting realization dawns on him. He knows Mogari likes him but does Mogari know if Eugene even likes him back? Had he ever done any effort to show that? Ah, Eugene just felt like drowning in the ocean again.
“Tamon, Kanzaki. I’m sorry I really have to go!” He waved the others goodbye and ran down the stairs as fast as his body can handle.
Ah, he was such an idiot. Was the reason Mogari was acting strange today because he heard about Kenji? Of course Eugene didn’t want to assume but if he wants to have a conclusion, he must have a reason.
Mogari has done almost everything to convey his feelings, that’s just how he is. But Eugene couldn’t even reject someone asking him out? How was he supposed to face him now?
Eugene stopped and stared. He was now standing at the front of bicycle stands.
“Koreshiki?” Mogari drops his bike to the ground and hastily made his way to Eugene. “Are you okay?”
Eugene continued to stare at him. Mogari looked at him with such gentle eyes, is it possible to look at someone with so much softness when your eyes are bright and bloody red? Eugene doesn’t need to know if it’s possible because that’s how Mogari was looking at him right at this moment.
“Mogari,” Eugene finally spoke up, Mogari tilts his head slightly to show that he’s listening intently, “Want to go to the beach?”
Mogari smiles brightly, it reminded Eugene alot of things but mostly all his favorite things.
“Let’s go, Koreshiki!”
—
Eugene has a plan.
Step one: Start with small talk—mundane things, maybe a little about exorcising spirits or club matters. Keep it casual.
Step two: Gradually steer the conversation elsewhere. Maybe mention the girl from class who has a crush on Mogari. (Mogari doesn’t know, but Eugene definitely noticed.)
Step three: Finally, bring up Kenji. If he plays his cards right, maybe—just maybe—they’ll both find the courage to confess.
But Eugene should have known better.
“Koreshiki, do you like that basketball guy?”
At this point, Eugene needs to burn and spread the ashes of that plan than just throw it out the window.
Eugene being flabbergasted is such an understatement, he gapes at the ghost eating boy next to him. Today was a windy day, so Eugene opted to sit on the backseat of the bike and Mogari was leaning back on the seat of his bike, staring at the upcoming sunset.
“You don’t have to respond or explain, it’s just,” Mogari hesitated for a few seconds but he looks like he’s carefully thinking of the next words, “I wanted to know.”
“Mogari—“
Mogari huffs, his eyebrows scrunched, and his lips are pouting “I mean sure— he’s popular and all, he’s good with the ball or whatever but I don’t really think he’s all that you know? But if you like him, that’s just unexpected but whatever, I bet he doesn’t believe in spirits.”
Eugene lets out a laugh. He leans forward and saw the other boy flinch with the sudden proximity. “Mogari,”
Both Eugene and Mogari seemed equally stunned by the tenderness in Eugene’s voice when he said his name. Even Eugene hadn’t expected it—but Mogari was full of surprises, and Eugene was ready to welcome every single one.
“I’m going to say something, but don’t interrupt me, okay? Just, just listen.” Mogari nods.
“Mogari, you were such an idiot when I first met you,” Eugene said, his voice softer than his words. “You were screaming at the ocean like a madman, practically trying to drown yourself. It was ridiculous.” He let out a small sigh. “And after I lost my charm, I took it out on you. I said things I shouldn’t have—that was immature of me.”
His gaze drifted to the horizon, watching as the waves settled into a calmer rhythm. “I wanted to apologize. You were alone in a new place, and I was awful to you.”
Mogari probably wanted to say something in protest, but did his best to keep his lips glued together.
Eugene continued, “It started raining that morning, I was so shocked to see you standing there, in a middle of such a storm with a flashlight in hand. You told me you were looking for the key, how did you expect to find a small key in the ocean by a flashlight? You can’t even swim. You were so weird.”
Mogari pouted but kept his eyes on Eugene, like he always did.
“I think I’m talking too much,” Eugene muttered, exhaling shakily. “But that day, when I told you I wanted to believe you—I meant it.”
His voice wavered for a moment before steadying. “My grandma used to say that key would unlock my world. And you… you asked if there was treasure hidden behind it.” He paused, catching his breath, realizing just how much he’d said without meaning to.
Eugene took a deep breath, then turned to face Mogari fully—this time, truly meeting his eyes. Eyes filled with anticipation.
“I think I found it,” he admitted, voice barely above a whisper. “My world. And my treasure.”
“Koreshiki…” Mogari was blushing from his cheeks down to his neck right now but he can’t break the eye contact. Eugene just flashed him the biggest smile, the most real, the most raw, and the most genuine smile he had in years.
“So no, I don’t like Kenji, and i’m sorry if I made you misunderstand it,” Eugene sighed but the smile still lingering in his face.
Mogari suddenly stood up straight and was no infront of Eugene, “Korekishi!”
Eugene never understood those clichés in movies—the ones where the protagonist sees their love interest bathed in golden light, as if even the sun adored them. But now, he gets it.
Mogari looked different. Ethereal. The sunlight framed him as he turned away, casting a glow along the edges of his face, as if the world itself refused to let him fade into the shadows.
“Korekishi, I know you’re smart, and you’re better than me at a lot of things. Honestly, I’m lucky you even chose to join the club—let alone stay. You’re amazing! If that’s not proof that being blessed is real, I don’t know what is.”
Mogari pressed on, ignoring how Eugene’s face was practically glowing red. “When you said you wanted to believe me, I felt like I could take on 2,000 evil spirits a day. I wanted you to keep believing in me. I wanted to impress you. I wanted to exorcise those 1,000 spirits in a year just so I’d have a reason to stay by your side a little longer. I wanted to beat that student council girl because she tried to take you away from the club—from me.”
He suddenly placed his hands on Eugene’s shoulder, he looked away for a brief moment but fostered enought courage that he looked at Eugene straight in the eyes, with only a small distance closing on them.
“I never wanted something so much, Korekishi. As much as I wanted to have a successful youth life, I wanted to be part of yours.”
Eugene just might drown himself. He notices how Mogari’s lips quivered, the wind blowing on his hair. They probably looked stupid.
They were stupid, this took them long enough.
So with outmost conviction, Eugene spoke clearly and loudly. Resolutely.
“I like you, Mogari.”
He beats Mogari to it, and somehow, that feels like a victory in itself. Maybe wanting wasn’t so bad. Maybe being selfish—wanting something just for himself—wasn’t a sin. For the first time in his sixteen years of life, Eugene allows himself to want. To be selfish. To drop the carefully constructed mask and simply reach for something that is his, without guilt or hesitation. He wants.
Mogari was clearly taken aback, but true to his bold and straightforward nature, he didn’t hesitate. He leaned in, closing the distance between them, and Eugene became acutely aware of everything—the crisp chill of the wind against his skin, the lingering warmth in his cheeks, and the gentle press of Mogari’s lips against his forehead.
Eugene was breathless, he’s overwhelmed, suprised, and loved .
“Koreshiki,” Mogari spoke, his hands slowly making its way to Korekishi’s cheeks, he doesn’t look at him but he places their forehed together, Korekishi could feel Mogari’s breath against his skin.
“I’ll protect you, Koreshiki. I will do anything to stay with you, so please keep believing in me.”
When was the last time Mogari didn’t have Eugene wrapped around his finger?
Eugene couldn’t even remember the last time Mogari didn’t have him wrapped around his finger, from that morning onwards, from this afternoon onwards, Eugene Korekishi finally solved the equation and all the answers lead to him, to Mogari Shishikuno.
“I will.”