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The dim lights of the bar cast a warm glow over the gathering. Laughter and cheers filled the air, celebrating Ippos win against Takeshi Sendo. Ichiro Miyata sat at the end of the bar, nursing a bottle of beer, the amber liquid swirling as he tried to drown his feelings away. Despite the ruckus, all he could think about was Ippo and his relationship with Kumi, the one person who seemed to make Ippos eyes light up in a way that Miyata longed for.
Sure Ippo had that look but he certainly didn’t give him that look.
As Ippo basked in the adoration of their friends, he raised his beer up, cheeks now a pinkish color due to the excitement, oblivious to the storm brewing in Miyatas heart. The thought of Ippo happily flirting and enamored with Kumi twisted in Miyata’s gut like a sharp blade. He couldn’t help but admire his friend, the way he carried himself with his innocent charm, and the way he inspired others with his determination. The same determination that sparked Miyatas interest in the boy when they first met. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Miyata was a success because of Ippo. Ippo fueled his hopes of someday fighting in a professional ring against each other. But would Miyata be able to hold true to their promise?
This time?
As the night wore on, Ippo, with his usual enthusiasm, began to let loose. He moved around the room exchanging hugs and laughter and a few more bottles of beer. He turned his attention to a lonely Miyata. Perhaps it was the alcohol, or maybe the fact that he felt particularly friendly, but Ippo found himself plopping down on the stool next to Miyata. His smile was infectious.
“Hey, Miyata-kun! You’re missing out on all the fun! Why are you sitting here all alone?” Ippo’s voice was light, teasing almost, but there was a subtle hint of something more.
Miyata forced a smile, trying to keep his tone casual. “Just enjoying the scenery,” he said, raising his bottle as if to mock a toast. Ippo looked as if he were going to laugh, his eyes solely focused on Ichiro and a glint of mischief.
Somehow Ichiro noticed. The champions mood shifted; he began to playfully nudge Miyatas shoulder, leaning ever so suggestively. “Hey Miyata-kun, you’re looking particularly handsome tonight. Did you do something different with your hair?” Ippo teased. Miyata turned to meet Ippo gaze with an appalled look as Ippo ran his fingers through Miyatas hair, sending shivers to the latter. Ichiro blinked, caught off guard. “Um, no, I—” he stammered, unsure how to take this in. Was Ippo flirting with him? It felt like a dream and a nightmare at the same time. Ippo was unfazed by his own actions and instead looked at Miyata with eyes that screamed I want you too.
“I think you should come celebrate with me more often..Even if it's only us..” Ippo continued, his
words slightly slurred, laughter escaping his lips. The charm emanating from Ippo overwhelmed
the hell out of Miyata. How could someone so oblivious cause him this much turmoil?
Feeling overwhelmed, Miyata stood up abruptly, the bar spinning just slightly as he steadied himself. “I—I need some air,” he muttered, escaping the sounds of celebration. Slipping outside into the cool night, hoping to breathe and clear his thoughts.
Though Ippo had gotten a bit dazed because of the alcohol, he felt as though he had probably made Miyata uncomfortable. Worried, he followed in Miyatas steps and swung the door open to talk with Miyata. Being outside hadn’t calmed down Miyatas racing heart in the slightest.
The night air only made him realize how much he longed for Ippo to confess his undying love to him. However, with Kumi becoming the center of his world, could he really replace her? Why did it hurt this much? To love someone who would never love you back…Sighing, he hears the door swing open. Ippo appeared, his brow furrowed in concern. “Miyata-kun! You okay?..”
Miyata turned his focus to Ippo with a light smile, “Yeah, I just—needed some space. I didn’t mean to leave so suddenly.” He was caught between wanting to push Ippo away and wanting to pull him closer.
But Ippo stepped forward with concern etched all over his face. “Was it something I said? I thought we were just having fun…Did I make you uncomfortable?”
“No! Far from that..” Miyata ran a hand through his hair, reminiscing the way Ippo did but for a short while as he struggled to find the right words to explain. “It’s just….it’s complicated. I’m…happy for you and Kumi. I hope you both last a long time, really.”
“Complicated? Me and Kumi?” Ippo echoed, tilting his head. Kumi and I aren’t in a relationship if that's what he meant. Of course I still love Kumi dearly but it was too much to think about as of right now. Plus Miyata is a guy. He never thought Miyata would be gay let alone have himself be attracted to guys. But he wasn’t completely put off by the idea if it was him. “You’re my best friend. You can talk to me about anything.”
Miyata swallowed hard, longing in his eyes. He wished he could voice the turbulent feelings bottled inside, but fear held him back. “I just need time to think,” he finally managed.
Ippo stepped closer, studying him fiercely. ”You don’t have to hide from me. Whatever is going on, you can talk to me about it. Just remember..I’m always here for you.” The earnestness in Ippo’s voice struck Miyata like a blow. How could he say it? How could he ruin the beautiful friendship they had built with something messy and fraught with risk?
But as he looked into Ippo’s concerned eyes, a flicker of hope ignited within him. Maybe, just maybe, the truth would pave the way for something deeper—if only fear didn’t keep him from taking the leap.
“I just need some time,” Miyata repeated softly, watching Ippo’s expression shift from worry to understanding.
“Okay,” Ippo said, his shoulders relaxing. “But just remember, I’m here, no matter what.”
As Ippo stepped back inside the bar, Miyata called him back. “Makunouchi! Wait!” The warmth came back into Miyatas chest as Ippo turned to meet his eyes, surprised but curious.
“Let’s get some more drinks and drink them outside. It’s too crowded in there,”Miyata suggested, hoping Ippo wouldn’t notice his rosy cheeks. He just wanted to hang out with Ippo a little while longer.
“More drinks? Sure!” Ippo grinned, maybe this time he’ll know what makes Miyata worry all the time. Ippo went inside and bought more beer to drink for the both of them. Walking back out, Miyata looked up at the night sky admiring the view of the stars.
“Miyata-kun! I have the drinks!” Ippo yelled, running towards Miyata and making sure he didn’t trip like that one time when he bought Miyata a soda. “Thank you.” he said, reaching for his beer.
The night went on with laughter as they exchanged stories with each other, both getting very drunk. Ippo began again with his flirting agenda and Miyata in a daze returned to that flirty attitude.
“Miyata,” Ippo started, getting closer to Miyata, more than necessary. “You know what I admire about you?”
“What's that?” Miyata asked, trying to remain composed and ignore the rapid beating of his heart.
“You’re just so…cool and confident,” Ippo replied, his gaze locked on Miyatas eyes as if he were studying every detail. “You’re the best. I really want to be more like you.” A cheeky grin spread across Ippo’s face like he had revealed a huge secret to the world. Perhaps Miyata has been reading into it too much tonight or maybe Ippo is just super tipsy and doesn’t know what he's talking about. Still, the way Ippo looks at him gives Ichiro a ton of mixed reactions and emotions.
Miyata looked at Ippo with a face of doubt, is it all just admiration? Miyata sighed, “You don’t really mean all that rig—”
“I do!” he insisted, his eyes wide and full of honesty. “I admire you Miyata-kun. You’re awesome. I wish you could just be with me all the time and not just like friends.”
The silence was deafening. The weight of Ippos words clung heavily in the air, filling Miyatas head with unspoken possibilities of what could happen. “If only…” he thought. “Are you sure it's not just the beer talking?” Miyata dared to ask, partly to shield himself from the painful truth of the moment.
“No, it’s more than that,” he started, leaning on Miyatas shoulder, his breath warm and sweet, a hint of beer lingering on his lips. Their worlds felt hazy and dizzy, almost like their mere presence was the only thing that mattered. A long silence overcame both of them. Miyata calmed his racing heartbeat and chose not to overthink Ippos words.
Miyata exhaled, the beer must be getting to him. He looks to his right to find Ippo. The man he's loved ever since their eyes laid on each other.
“Miyata-kun…” Ippo slurred, his cheeks a light shade of pink and eyes sparkling from the glow of the moon, hiding his true intentions. “You think…we should kiss right now?..”
“Huh?...” Ichiro asked, his cheeks flushed and his heart beating hard in his chest. He countlessly dreamt of this happening but he never thought it would ever come true. The night air brushed against them as if to try and break the tension between them, however it failed to do so. Seeing Ippo’s apparent flushed face, he guessed what he might say next. But he won’t say what he thinks he’ll say.
Right?
“We should..” Ippo leaned in closer, whispering as if sharing a secret with only the stars as their witnesses, “kiss like we mean it.”
With a rush of adrenaline and warmth, Ichiro leaned forward and connected their lips together in a drunken embrace that quickly escalated into something more erotic. Tugging on Ippos hair as Miyata deepened the kiss, igniting a small whimper from Ippo. They fought for dominance, each exploring each other's mouths with their tongues. Tasting the bitter taste of the beer mingled with the longing Miyata had for this very moment—how long he had tried to ignore his feelings that seemed so ludicrous in their friendship. Ippo can sense the love in the kiss, getting drunk on the feeling of Miyatas lips on his. Miyata felt exhilarated, his heart racing even faster than any bout he had ever fought in the ring. But in the haze of all this passion, Miyata got greedy, wanting this moment to never end. All his insecurities rushed to his head fueled by their complicated relationship.
Will they ever accept their true feelings for each other?
Will everyone accept who they truly are?
All these thoughts raced in his head but were pushed aside to at least enjoy the moment while he still can without having to complicate their relationship any further.
“Makuno-..no—Ippo,” he muttered between kisses, “You’re all I want tonight..”
“Yeah, me too..”, Ippo slurred, lost in the moment and pulled Miyata closer to him. His lips parted and a name slipped out.
“Kumi…”
Hearing that name, Miyata froze, pulling away suddenly. He knew this would happen. Ippo could never forget about Kumi..
His heart sank, an icy contrast to their once shared warmth and intimacy. Ichiro felt a ping of jealousy sharpen in his chest. Why couldn’t I be the center of his love?..
Ippo’s eyes suddenly widened at the realization of what he just said, dawning too late. “Wait, I didn’t—”
But the damage had already been dealt. Miyata stumbled back, the moon shining on his distraught facial expression, draining the heat from his cheeks. Ippos slip of the tongue hit harder than any punch—more devastating than even the fiercest jab in the ring. Clenching his fists, he turned his back on Ippo. Tears began to slowly sting the corner of his eyes as they streamed down his face.
Ippo stood there bewildered by the fact he even muttered the name Kumi. He was so confused on how he truly felt towards the both of them. Who do I REALLY like?
“Miyata-kun, I—” Ippo reached out, his voice laced with genuine concern, but Miyata couldn’t bear to look at him now. Not when his heart ached with betrayal and eyes filled with tears.
Hearing his one and only love say someone else's name instead of his, really shattered his heart.
“Just…don’t say another word..” he managed, his voice barely above a whisper, a fragile facade over deep sorrow. His words weighed on Ippo as the hurt Ippo felt sliced clean through his drunken state.
“Miyata-kun! I’m sorry, I really am!..It was a mistake, I swear!” Ippo walked towards Miyata who walked away, disheartened. The sincerity in Ippos voice only added on to the wave of Miyatas painfully unrequited love.
Takamura, Aoki, and Kimura popped out of the bar carrying the Chief and Yagi out. Looks like they are passed out drunk. “What are you doing here by yourself? Where's Miyata?” Takamura asked, looking around Ippo. Ippo, who was still stuck in his place, didn't even pay any mind to them at that moment.
What have I done?..
Their special moment shattered and all that was left was a painful silence between them, filled with unspoken words and a longing that now felt painfully out of reach. The night had promised so much that now it felt like a reminder of what could never be.