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"Gion is so hot, don't you think?"
"Gion?"
"Yeah, the one from our class. The person who got the best score during our last test. Remember him?"
"Ah, that's his name?! OMG YESSSSS HE'S SO HOT!"
"You get me!!! Like—he just has this cold beauty vibe, you know? The kind that makes him feel unapproachable, but that's exactly what's attractive about him!"
"Ugh, I totally understand. Those piercing ice blue eyes, and a face that's always calm and still like the ocean… how lovely! I feel like anyone who gets to see his rare smile must be the luckiest person ever! Oh, how I wish to be that person, but someone so perfect like him must be dating someone already…"
"No, I don't think so. He just… doesn't have that vibe, you know? I mean, don't people who are in a relationship tend to look more—I don't know—softer, I guess?"
"So we have a chance?"
"We have a chance!"
The two girls giggled, standing up from their seats and walking away from the bench. However, unbeknownst to them, a certain someone had been listening in on their conversation for quite some time.
"Let go."
"No."
"Let me go."
"……no."
"Livio Sorisso."
And there goes his government name.
"My class is starting in 10 minutes. If you're going to be clingy, do it later. I'm in a hurry now." Despite the harsh words, Gion's face was totally stoic, devoid of any signs of actual frustration.
Livio buried his face deeper into the crook of his lover's neck, squeezing the frame of Gion's body briefly to find some comfort before reluctantly letting go. His lips form a small pout, clearly mourning the loss of his lover's warmth.
Seeing such a pitiful sight, Gion managed a scoff. He then tugged on Livio's shirt, urging Livio to lower himself.
Livio tilted his head, surprised at the sudden request. Obediently, he bent down slightly to meet Gion's eye level. Gion remained silent, only reaching out his hands to cup Livio's face. The sudden intimacy caught Livio off guard; his body stilled. Yet, feeling the gentle touch of Gion's fingers caressing his cheeks made him relax again.
"I'll be back before you even get to miss me. I promise."
Gion sealed the promise with a soft kiss on Livio's forehead. Stunned, Livio blinked, eyes not leaving his lover's face. Gion had retracted his hand, currently smiling playfully after pulling the trick. The corner of his lips only lifted slightly, a smile that was barely there—but a smile regardless. Somehow, Livio felt something tug at his heart right at that moment.
Anyone who gets to see his rare smile must be the luckiest person ever! Livio was reminded of the girl's voice. He was fortunate indeed that even after years of seeing that smile, it still made his heart skip a beat all the same.
Livio returned the smile. He straightened up and held both Gion's hands in his, bringing them to his lips. "I'm holding on to your words, Gion," he muttered as he kissed Gion's knuckles. "Also…" he muttered.
"Hm?"
"Um… can I… pick you up later after class?" he asked hesitantly.
Gion didn't even pause to think. "Sure. Just let me know when you arrive."
Livio gasped softly, not expecting that his boyfriend would agree so easily. "R-really? You don't mind?"
A frown formed on Gion's forehead. "Mind? Why would I?"
"N-nothing!" Livio shook his head. "Your class is starting soon, you should get moving! See you later!"
Gion's frown only deepened as he tried to comprehend his man's odd behavior. But in the next second, his calm expression returned to his face. "Sure. I'm off, then. See you."
"How do I make him look like he's taken without exposing our relationship?"
"I'm sorry, who are we talking about?"
Livio sighed deeply, yet his hands were still busy moving to wipe the table clean. He glanced at his coworker, Lilian, who was standing timidly by the cafe's counter, not far from where Livio was. She had a frown on her face and her hands clasped in front of her chest, looking concerned.
"Ah, no one… just my boyfriend…" Livio chuckled dryly as he moved to another table.
Lilian's brows lifted slightly. "What's wrong? Did something happen between you both?"
Livio's hands paused. "Well… not really… but like…" he stuttered, suddenly embarrassed to say such a small problem out loud. He lowered his head, avoiding further eye contact with Lilian.
He cleared his throat. "So… you know that my boyfriend is studying at uni, right?" Lilian silently nodded, letting the man continue his words. Livio shifted on his feet, "Last time when I was waiting for his class to finish, I heard some girls talking about him and…" Livio covered his face. "…they talked about how Gion doesn't look taken and said something about how they might have a chance with him…" he forced out those last bits of words under his breath.
Lilian made a small "oh" sound. "So you're worried that someone will make a move on him?"
Livio nodded. "I don't want to sound like a possessive boyfriend—"
"But you are?"
"………"
Livio coughed. "As I was saying, I know that Gion probably wants this relationship to be a secret, so I can't have him going around wearing something that would indicate that he's mine, no? If I make him wear a ring or necklace with my name engraved, or have him wear my clothes to class, won't people start pestering him about who he's dating?? It must make him feel troubled if that happens…"
He groaned. "I even made a stupid request to pick him up from his class later this afternoon out of spite because I'm feeling quite jealous and want to show that Gion has someone close enough to him to come pick him up but now that I think about it what if people start spreading rumors when they see us and then our relationship will get exposed and Gion will definitely be upset at me for doing this and regret agreeing to my request ah I'm such a useless boyfriend…" he rambled on incessantly in one breath.
Once Livio was done, he turned his gaze back to Lilian. The girl was holding her chin, seemingly deep in thought. Her gaze met Livio's.
"Hm… what makes you think your boyfriend wants this relationship to be a secret?"
"Ah?" Livio blinked, not expecting that question.
His mouth opened and closed repeatedly, trying to come up with a reasonable explanation. Lilian patiently waited, her gaze following Livio's movements as the man paced to and fro the cafe.
"Well… It's purely just an assumption of mine…" the grey-haired mumbled. "Gion is a popular figure in his college, after all. His reputation as a student council member, along with his good grades and looks causes him to be the center of attention wherever he goes, you know. If people find out that he has a male lover—one who's a high school dropout and is working at a small cafe near the university at that—people would definitely condemn him for it," Livio let out an exasperated sigh.
Lilian gave a small nod. "I see…" She then walked over to Livio and gave her coworker an encouraging pat on his shoulder. "But still, it's not good to just assume things about your lover. How about you guys talk it out? Maybe he doesn't actually mind wearing a matching couple items to uni," she said gently.
Livio stared at Lilian's hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, Lilian. I will do that when I have the time later," he forced out a smile. Lilian then pulled her hands away, stepping away to the dessert display section right beside the counter.
She took out a slice of cheesecake. "Your boyfriend's class is about to finish, right? You can go. There are barely any customers here anyway, so leave the cafe to me. Also…"
Lilian packed the cake into a small paper bag and handed it over to Livio. "…this is on me. Send my regards to him, okay?" she winked.
"Eh? I… I can't just let a woman alone—"
The woman cut him off. "My friends are on their way here already. I'll be fine, Livio. Go to your man," there's a teasing tone in her voice as she pushed the paper bag to Livio's chest. "I'll tell our boss that you need to leave early due to an emergency matter, so don't worry. Now, go," she playfully turned Livio's body towards the door and pushed him out.
Livio was flustered. "W-wait, Lilian—!"
Livio ended up leaving anyway, after much pestering from Lilian. Livio leaned against his bike, the paper bag hanging around his wrist as he sent a message to his boyfriend.
Livio:
you done with classes already?
Gion:
yes
i'm heading out now
where r u?
Livio:
just outside the gate
Gion:
oh
The conversation ended there. Livio ruffled his own hair and played with a strand of his bangs. It's getting longer now… I should ask Gion to cut them for me…
While deep in thought, Livio accidentally made eye contact with a group of students walking past the gate. Startled, Livio quickly turned around. He didn't have any particular grudge towards college students, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of inferiority whenever he remembered that he was just a cafe worker who never even graduated from high school.
At that moment.
Gion:
r u ok?
Livio tilted his head at the sudden question.
Livio:
?
yes
still waiting for you love
r u here yet?
Gion:
look up
Livio lifted his head and saw his lover just a few steps away from him. He wasn't alone, judging by how there were a few others following him from behind. Livio flinched, not expecting such a crowd. There were about 2 men and 5 women behind Gion, each one smiling sheepishly at Livio and occasionally whispering in a hush to each other.
"G-Gion? These are…?"
"Ah, these are my classmates. I was originally going to come here alone, but when I told them my boyfriend is coming to pick me up, they insisted on following. I'm sorry for not informing you beforehand since… I was also taken aback." Gion said as he stepped closer to Livio, hooking their pinky nails together.
Livio felt warm in his heart. "It's fine, Gion. It's not a pro—" he paused. Instantly, his eyes widened and his pupils dilated as he finally processed Gion's words fully. "WAIT, YOU TOLD THEM WHAT?!"
Gion didn't faze despite the sudden volume increase of Livio's voice. "They offered to accompany me back home, and I told them that my boyfriend is co—"
"They know about us?!" Livio pointed a finger at himself and Gion alternately.
Gion shrugged. "Not really."
"Um, sorry for interrupting. Can I speak?" one of Gion's classmates raised his hand hesitantly. Livio went silent at the sudden realization that these people were still here, leaving Gion to nod as a sign for the man to talk.
The guy scratched his cheeks, grinning. "Uhh, actually, we never knew that Gion was dating somebody."
"Yeah, we all just found out about it a moment ago," the blonde-haired girl beside him stepped forward.
Another girl spoke as well, "So sorry if we make you uncomfortable, but we're just really… really curious about who Gion is dating! And now that we see you… I can tell that you're a kind and loving person, and you guys just look perfect together. I wish you both a long-lasting relationship!" she exclaimed, putting her hands together in front of her chest.
Livio was still frozen, unsure of how he was supposed to react to this sudden support. Feeling a tug at his finger, he looked down and met his lover's eyes. "Livio, are you okay? Why are you silent?" he whispered. "I'm sorry, do you perhaps want to keep this relationship a secret instead? I can tell them not to spread this news to—"
"N-no! I… I thought you were the one who wanted to keep this a secret?"
The statement made Gion gape. "A secret? Why would I want to do so?" whispering no more, Gion raised his voice slightly, feeling wronged at the accusation.
"Because… because you have a reputation to keep?"
"I do not give a damn about my reputation, Livio. Is that how you see me? Someone who prioritizes myself over everything?"
"I didn't mean that! But you… You're dating a man! People are gonna talk—"
"I'm dating you, Livio. Not just any man. Put some respect on my boyfriend's name," he said through gritted teeth.
Livio clenched his fist. "Why are we even arguing about this? I just—"
"Ehem!"
The lovebirds snapped their heads in that direction. Gion's classmates were still there, standing awkwardly while being forced to watch the two lovers bickering with each other.
The guy at the front gulped, "Err… we will leave you guys alone. Also… just in case… we promise not to say a word about this. Right, guys?"
"Yeah," they all say in unison and scurried away in a hurry to leave the two to their own matter.
Gion and Livio fell into an awkward silence. Doing such a childish thing as bickering over a small matter in front of others…
"Let's… go back home."
"Yeah… let's…"
Both of them sat facing each other at the dining table, nothing but silence accompanying them now that Livio had told Gion about his worry.
"This is so stupid. Now I'm embarrassed to face my classmates," Gion started, massaging his temple. Livio had his gaze down, his fingers fidgeting.
"I'm so—"
"It's not your fault. It's mine. Well, to be fair, it's on us for not talking about this matter sooner," Gion waved his hand. He then stared straight at his lover. "Hah, we really should be more direct towards each other," he muttered under his breath.
Livio lifted his head. "So… you really don't mind our relationship being known to everyone?"
"I would announce it to the whole world if I could. So yes, I don't mind at all," Gion replied smoothly. Livio felt his face getting warmer at the blunt and direct response. Seeing such a reaction from his lover, a smile slowly formed on Gion's lips.
"Come here, love."
Gion suddenly called. Livio seemed confused, but he stood up anyway and walked over to Gion. Once he arrived right by Gion's side, he was immediately pulled into his boyfriend's embrace, Gion nuzzling his face comfortably against Livio's stomach.
"E-eh?! Gion?!" Livio flinched at the sudden gesture. Gion didn't let go, instead tightening his hold around his lover's waist to keep him there.
Gion raised his head, and Livio feared that this sight might be the end of him. Gion's bangs were slightly disheveled due to their contact with Livio's body just now, and Gion just looked so cute and docile like this; his eyes were fixated on his lover.
"Livio."
"Y-yes?!"
"….I love you."
Livio felt his heart practically trying to leap out. He didn't mishear, right? His boyfriend had actually said those words to him, right? His brain felt like it was on the verge of malfunctioning, all because it was so rare to hear this stoic lover of his say such affectionate words.
"I… I love you too? Why so suddenly, Gion?" Livio chuckled nervously as he moved his hand to cradle his lover's face. He gave those soft cheeks a light pinch, trying to see Gion's reaction. As expected, that man just let it happen.
Gion hummed. "Nothing. Just felt like all this misunderstanding happens because I'm not a vocal person. I mean it when I said we need to communicate more, though."
Gion let go of Livio, leaning back against the chair. Livio was a bit saddened that Gion had pulled away, hoping that they could just stay in that position for a few more minutes.
Livio rubbed his neck. "I… I will be more honest to say what I feel as well next time."
Gion nodded. "Alright, now that it's settled, let's make dinner."
Without waiting for Livio's reply, Gion immediately rose from his seat and made his way to the kitchen.
Livio was left once again taken aback at how quickly it was for Gion to move from one thing to another. "Eh? Ah- I mean- sure!" he muttered, following his lover's steps from behind.
"Ugh, the class is finally over."
"Don't we have another class this evening?"
"A whole day of class?! Just end me!"
Gion didn't pay any attention to his classmate's wails and complaints. It was lunch hour right now, so he intended to just grab the lunchbox Livio had prepared for him this morning and go out to enjoy his meal alone.
…except that when he looked inside his bag, the lunchbox wasn't there.
'Huh? Didn't I put it here…?'
He took out the books and other stuff from his bag, desperately hoping that the lunchbox was actually there and that he just might have overlooked it. However, even after taking out every item from the bag, the lunchbox was still nowhere to be seen.
Gion felt a pang in his heart.
"W…where is it…?"
"Gion!"
Gion's head snapped to the front. One of his classmates was waving towards him from the front door. "Gion, someone is here for you!"
Hearing those words, Gion didn't waste a second and strode directly to his classmate. Just outside the door, he could see a very familiar figure standing by, talking idly with another classmate of Gion's. It didn't take long for the grey-haired man to notice Gion.
Livio's face lit up. "Gion! You forgot your lunchbox!" the man grinned, lifting his hand that was holding a small rectangular box. Gion inhaled. How embarrassing it was that he had actually left the lunchbox at home. Was he in a hurry this morning?
Gion ignored the lunchbox and went to hold Livio's arm. "Thanks. Now that you're here, let's have lunch together. Let's go," he said spontaneously, already urging Livio to move.
"Lunch??"
Gion rolled his eyes. "You're not working today anyway, how about spending your free time with me? You don't want it?"
Livio nodded his head. "I do! I do!" Then he pursed his lips, suddenly aware that they're in the presence of a lot of people here, and the corridor was crowded with students who were on their way to have lunch as well.
Gion held back a laugh at his lover's antics. "Yeah, let's go."
Just when they were about to be on their way, a voice could be heard from Gion's class. "Gion! You're heading for lunch? How about joining us? Our class rep said he's going to pay for the meal, haha!" Gion's classmate said as he patted the class rep's back, eliciting a burst of teasing laughter from everyone around them.
Gion turned around. "Hm, no thanks. I have a plan with someone else already," he refused, showing a polite smile to the group of people.
His classmate nodded in understanding. "Well, that sucks. Some other time, then!" the man grinned cheerfully. A moment later, his gaze fell onto the man standing beside Gion.
"Oh? Is that a friend of yours, Gion? Never seen him."
Gion raised his brows and tilted his head to briefly lock eyes with Livio. Livio only blinked in return, clearly flustered at the sudden attention on him. Gion stared at his lover's face for a while without saying anything. Then, a meaningful smile formed on his lips as he turned to face his classmates again. "Ah, him?"
"He's my boyfriend."