Chapter Text
"You always pick that cup."
"Do you have a problem with that?"
Eichi sat back on the sofa and then looked at his own cup; today is was a blue and white cup he bought with Hajime during a day out together. He closed his eyes and smiled unconsciously as he remembered Hajime's joyful face when he bought the cup for him.
"I guess you associate it with me too much, hm?" The older boy added, laughing slightly as he put the cup down. "I bet you want to smash it, hm?"
Eichi's smile faded.
"Why do you still believe that I despise you? So many things have happened yet you and I are still on square one." The president's voice was filled with annoyance and a hint of desperation. The older boy rested his back against the sofa, and his peaceful yet patronising face fell into one full of anger as he opened his red eyes. Eichi could almost see the fires of hell in them.
"Would you like me to list everything you've done to me? And your attitude even after you were beaten by Trickstar?" A chill ran down Eichi's spine. "I still see you as an enemy and pretending to enjoy my presence as you drink tea isn't lowering my guard around you, Tenshouin."
Eichi's eyes widened in disbelief and his voice was on the verge of breaking. "If I truly hated you, I would have kicked you out of the garden by now."
Rei looked away, and gritted his teeth. "Oh please, you value your image too much to do that." He tried to laugh, but it sounded more like a grunt. His eyes began to reflect the light and Eichi instantly realised it was because they were filling up with tears and because of that, he said no more.
An overwhelming and seemingly never ending silence filled the room. The two idols didn't move an inch apart from shifting their heads to look down.
Then, a voice broke through the silence.
It belonged to Rei.
"I'm sorry."
Eichi smiled, but didn't move his head.
"I'm sorry too."
At first, the older boy opened his mouth to question what the other could possibly be sorry for, but as soon as he realised what he meant, he closed his mouth.
"I've done terrible things to you, and the school." The blond boy added before looking up to Rei. "No wonder you hate me so much."
The other boy didn't know how to respond, and his eyes darted across the table as if the answer was there somewhere before sighing and responding.
"I... would be lying if I said I hated you but..." He paused. "I can't forgive your actions."
"That's fine." Eichi said; his eyes had become more tender, his smile was softer and Rei was afraid that he was going to cry in front of him. "I don't expect forgiveness, or for you to even tolerate me." He added. "I just don't want you to believe I hate you, because I don't, not anymore."
Suddenly, Rei felt a tear fall down his cheek, only for him to wipe his eyes and smile back at Eichi. "Alright you've beat me, I believe you." He said, trying to light up the melancholic mood, yet still having a certain sadness in his words.
This time it was Eichi who felt a tear on his cheek, but he let it fall and let other tears join it. "Thank you. That means a lot to me. I hope we can build a better relationship."
"I'm ready any time." Rei answered causing Eichi to giggle before responding.
"Alright. I can't wait, Sakuma-san."
And after hearing his name come out of Eichi's mouth after a long time, Rei shared with him his rare but most joyful smile.