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Did true happiness really exist in this century? Or was it all just a hoax and everyone merely pretended to be happy when in the presence of someone else? Did that make everyone a master of lies and deceit when asked about their well-being and they answer with positive replies while smiling despite crumbling and falling deeper into despair on the inside?
Suo Hayato gently set his porcelain teacup down on the table after taking a few sips of the steaming hot beverage. The teacup was in a shade of ivory, decorated with vibrant pink peonies which complimented the two colors and produced a harmonious tune that only the imaginative individuals could hear.
Everyone else was having a great time, eating delicious meals prepared by Kotoha and chatting away to their heart’s content. Suo stood out in the crowd for only having tea with him and no food to eat unlike the rest. A diet was what he always said whenever he was asked about his refusal to eat. None of his friends could wrap their head around the diet he was following. What sort of diet prevented him from eating with only tea and water as an exception? It did not make any sense especially for someone with his physique. Suo was in great shape and his fighting skills were remarkable. So, what was the need to subject himself to such a strict, almost torturous diet? There was a rumor that he was fond of teacakes from around the world. Nobody knew how true it was since he did not eat, at least in front of them and Suo was known for avoiding questions regarding himself, and even if he did give in, the answers were never straightforward.
A light buzz caught his attention. Suo fished out for his phone and saw that Kiryu had sent him a message. Kiryu requested him to meet up outside the café for a chat about something important. Suo was intrigued by the text. He and Kiryu were friends but not particularly that close, which made him wonder why did he want to discuss about an important matter with Suo instead of Sakura who was the grade captain for the first years.
He knew wondering and thinking wouldn’t get the answer. The only way to find out was by getting up and meeting him outside. As he was getting up, Kiryu simultaneously got up from his seat as well and casually strode out from the café with only a sheepish smile when Nirei asked where he was heading off. He did not bother to answer, leaving Suo to cook up an excuse on the spot.
“What, you’re going out as well?” Nirei whined, his eyes showing a hint of curiosity on why two of the five strongest first years were leaving while the party was still going strong.
“Mm, Kiryu-kun and I have some work to attend to.” He said that and briefly left the place, leaving a confused Nirei to explain their departure to the rest of the group.
Once outside, Suo found himself facing Kiryu whom was busy typing on his phone. The pink haired boy looked up from his gadget and gave him a small smile. “Suo-chan, I’m glad you agreed to meet me outside. Come, I have something to give you.” Kiryu placed his phone into the safety of his pocket and took Suo by the hand to guide him away from the café.
A chuckle escaped from his mouth as he allowed his friend to pull him away. He wondered what Kiryu meant when he said he had something to give him. A gift? Why all of a sudden though? It wasn’t his birthday today. After walking for a while, a small cake shop came into view. The signboard was of pastel blue and pink with cake designs adorning the board. Kiryu pushed the door open and pulled Suo inside the shop. The interior was the same aesthetic as the signboard. The walls were painted in bubblegum pink while the floor was in a beautiful baby blue shade. White chairs and tables were arranged on the floor to form the shape of a heart that was only noticeable if anyone were to view it from above.
Kiryu gestured to Suo to take a seat at any of the tables before walking up to the front counter. He took a look at the wide selection of cakes neatly arranged in the refrigerated display case. His eyes landed on a few different types of teacakes that he was confident his classmate would love. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips at the thought of watching Suo enjoy the sweet gesture he had planned in secret with the rest of their friends left oblivious regarding it. A slender index finger swiftly pointed at the desired desserts for the employee to pick up and carefully pack them in an adorable box that had the shop’s logo printed on its surface. The young man paid for the cakes with his credit card and made his way to Suo, grinning from ear to ear. He placed the box down on the table and sat across from him. Kiryu rested his face in the palm of his hand and gazed lovingly at his friend. The latter took note on his behavior and chuckled before speaking.
“Kiryu-kun, what are you looking at?” he asked as a gentle smile rested on his pleasantly appealing face.
“You, Hayato-chan.”
He had not seen that coming let alone knew how to react. Kiryu called him by his given name which was surprising. He usually addressed him by his surname. What was going on? Why did Kiryu call him by his given name? Why was he looking at him lovingly like a boyfriend towards his girlfriend?
Suo looked down at the box of teacakes. He wondered if Kiryu planned to make him eat them, in front of him. An unpleasant churn took place within the walls of his stomach. This wasn’t right. This didn’t feel right. He absolutely could not take a bite no matter how much he wanted to.
That was when he felt a warm hand resting on his own. The hand gently squeezed his, as if to reassure him that everything will be fine. He was safe.
Kiryu gave his hand another squeeze. “Relax” he said and opened the box for Suo to see. There were about six different kinds of teacakes, decorated in a way most girls would call ‘kawaii’. It certainly looked like Kiryu’s aesthetic but far different from Suo’s. His aesthetic was heavily influenced by traditional Chinese culture, especially his collection of flowing robes or designs which echoed traditional Chinese attire that helps in contributing to the vibe.
A snap from a pair of fingers brought him back out from his thoughts. Kiryu snapped his fingers again to make sure he acquired his full attention. His hand went down to the metal fork he had gotten earlier from the front counter. He forked some teacake near Suo’s mouth with an ‘Ahh’ as an indicator for him to open his mouth so that he could feed him. However, Suo refused and moved away from the dessert instead, his gentle smile still present on his face.
“I appreciate the kind gesture, Kiryu-kun, but---”
“It’s ‘Mitsuki’, not ‘Kiryu’. Please, address me by my given name. It would make me very happy and it can be your way of returning the gesture for the desserts” the pink haired said, eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. “But if you think that isn’t enough, you could give me a kiss” as he said that he winked at the other teen in the hopes of making him blush just like they’re grade captain. Unfortunately, it didn’t work. Suo still maintained his calm and mysterious demeanor, his face still smiling gracefully.
“A kiss? I did not know you could be so bold, Mitsuki-kun” he remarked, making Kiryu embarrassed instead of what the former initially intended. Suo really did have a talent in turning the situation against the other person. Perhaps it was to protect himself from revealing something that was best remained as a secret.
Despite that, Kiryu refused to admit defeat. With a smirk, he got up and moved closer to Suo until he was only a few inches away. With a swift move, his hand managed to grab Suo by the chin and tilted it up before the latter could react and fed him the teacake that was impaled by the cold metal of the fork. His smirk only grew when he saw the shocked look on Suo’s usually calm and smiling expression along with some crumbs that littered the corners of his mouth.
“It tastes good, doesn’t it?” he inquired, the smirk still profound on his face. His green eyes scanned the latter’s face for any hint of embarrassment and sighed quietly when he noticed Suo had regained his composure before he was finished with his sentence. A small pout replaced the devious smirk he wore on his face. “You’re no fun, Hayato-chan.”
A light chuckle escaped the brunette’s lips, amused by Kiryu’s childish pouting. He had to admit, the pink haired guy looked adorable with his lips slightly puckered in that pout. He lifted up his right hand and gently placed it on Kiryu’s head. The softness of the well-kept hair felt nice between his fingers as he ran them through the cotton candy pink locks. “Mitsuki-kun, I love the texture of your hair. It’s so soft, I’m jealous.”
Kiryu raised an eyebrow at his statement. “Your hair is soft too. Here, I’ll prove it.”
Suo shook his head, discouraging Kiryu from running his hand through his hair. He had no intention of allowing his friend’s hand to linger near the area where the fabric strap of his eye patch was at. It wasn’t that he did not trust Kiryu. He just could not take the risk. The thought of his eye patch coming loose made him feel vulnerable, a feeling he was not comfortable with anyone seeing.
Especially Kiryu.
Suo could not understand. Why did his heart leap whenever he got close? Why did his cheeks subtly flush at the thought of that face? Oh, that pretty face. His luscious pink hair and eyes that sparkled like Chinese jade. An enticing appearance. He could stare at his friend and lose track of time. Morning could shift to night in a blink of an eye and he wouldn’t even notice it. That proved just how much Kiryu allured him. Was it fascination or something else? Something deeper, meaningful?
The small smile on Suo’s face slowly tilted downwards until it was no longer there. The realization hit him hard like a slap to the face. It was at that moment Suo realized something. Something almost too private, personal.
He was slowly falling in love.
And he knew it would not end well. Not because Kiryu wouldn’t make a great partner. No, he’d be an amazing boyfriend. Anyone would be lucky to date him and be his. But Suo knew deep down in his heart, love was not for him. Why would it be?
He was an enigma. Too many secrets, constantly dodging personal questions. Everyone was kept at arm’s length no matter how much Suo was fond of them. Dating him would be a burden and Suo wanted nothing more than to keep his loved ones physically and emotionally safe. But he couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Kiryu. That radiant smile. So precious, so liberating.
Dear god, he felt selfish.