Chapter Text
(Obanai POV)~
Relationships were never really a thing for Obanai. He's never been the one to long for the feeling to fall in love. Neither has he ever even felt it, until he meet Mitsuri. He's never been deserving of love; how he grew up, he did not expect to be capable of love. Nor did he feel like he had ever had a chance to be loved. But he had always felt that Mitsuri had pulled him into her. Maybe it was her pure heart, her sweet smile, her love for animals, the positivity she spread, or that look in her eyes. Obanai didn't know what the look meant; but he felt like he's seen it somewhere. From someone, someone who understood him.
Well despite that, he had never imagined himself in the situation he was in now. Where he actually was with Mitsuri. Well, thanks to Sanemi encouraging him to ask her out. But there was something wrong. Something felt wrong. There was no reason for it to be that way; Obanai finally had the love of his life. Well at least he thought so.
"Iguroo!!" A cheery voice called out as Mitsuri entered the room. Obanai looked up towards her as her arms went out to hug him. He hugged her back; but there was something wrong. It was awkward. They've hugged before, this isn't new. But before it was usually as friends, not lovers.
"Uh hi Mitsuri," Obanai responded, an awkward smile on his face. After the battle, he had decided to drop the bandages. He felt kind of bare without them but he tried not to see uncomfortable.
Mitsuri let him go as she went to look him in the eyes. "You okay?" She questioned.
"Oh, yeah. I'm cool," Obanai smiled awkwardly in some sort of attempt of reassurance.
"Ok.." Mitsuri nodded slowly, "Welp, I wanted to tell you I'll be at the cafe all day today; we're testing new flavors and items to put on the menu. Then me and Rengoku are going to go out for dinner!" Mitsuri explained, smiling. She was already excited to go hang out with her friend.
"Oh. Okay. I'll probably go to Shinazugawa's place then," Obanai told her. That sounds good. He could use a talk with him.
(Mitsuri POV)~
Mitsuri's always wanted to be in a relationship. A real one. Not that marriage she had asked for when she was so desperate for a husband to love her. But a natural, sweet one. But there was still something wrong. Something weird, leaving a funky feeling in her gut. She's always thought she'd liked Obanai. He was cute, sweet, kind. He had a heart and she could see that. He would be perfect for some women. But there was something odd about it. it felt... empty. Like something was missing. Like something was wrong. It was kind of like her arranged marriage. It felt like it was being forced again. But it wasn't, right? She liked Obanai.
It just didn't feel right. It shouldn't be like this. She should be happy, in love. The kind of ignorant feeling that lacks the dread of something isn't right.
No, it was whatever. It didn't matter. She had a busy day today. A day with Rengoku, and baking a bunch of yummy cakes with the cutie cats.
"Ah, Kanroji-San? Is that you?" A familiar voice sounded from behind her. Oh no, Mitsuri was so lost in thought, she forgot where she was even going. She didn't pay attention. She didn't think to run into Shinobu. Well, not that it was a bad thing of course! But she couldn't stop the fast beating in her chest and the pink blush warm up her cheeks. She spun on her heels to face Kochou.
"Kochou-Chan! I didn't see you there!! It's amazing seeing you again, you look lovely!!" Mitsuri spoke, too cheerfully as she went to hug Kochou. Too awkward, too awkward. Mitsuri was a mess. Why was she acting like this?! It's just Kochou. Despite her being lovingly and sweet and stunning, she was still Mitsuri's very good friend. Best friend even.
As Mitsuri thought Kochou would back away, Kochou only hugged her back, patting her back.
"Heh, how adorable. Well, it's lovely seeing you as well," Kochou pulled back to smile at Mitsuri. Mitsuri's heart was going crazy, what was this? Maybe it's just because she hasn't seen Kochou in a while, maybe she was just too excited.
"Yeah, yeah! Well, I got to run; I have to bake a lot of cakes for my cafe! You should, uh, come visit later and try some?" Mitsuri invited without thinking. Oh no. This is bad. Well Kochou can 100% have some cakes, she was sure Rengoku wouldn't mind sharing. It's just that she was acting like some high schooler asking their crush out right now, ugh so embarrassing!!
"Hm, that sounds good actually. I don't mind coming over. I'll be around at 4:00-ish, sound good?" Kochou suggested and Mitsuri nodded.
"Yup! That's good!! See you then!!" Mitsuri smiled before rushing off in total embarrassment. Oh god, why was she being so shy? It's just Kochou, right? Mitsuri was a mess..
(Obanai POV)~
Obanai went to Sanemi's house after he had bandaged his mouth up; he did say he stopped wearing them but he didn't like the stares from strangers. Realistically, he should've asked before hand but he knew Sanemi wouldn't mind. He knocked on the door, waiting for Sanemi to open up.
"Ughh, what is it? I swear to god if it's you, Tomioka, I'm beating your ass. I do not want the fucking sleeve ohagi-- Oh, Iguro," Sanemi opened the door, now grinning.
"Sleeve ohagi?" Obanai teased.
"Oh my god, don't get me started," Sanemi rolled his eyes as he pulled Obanai inside.
Sanemi's house had always been nice. Decorated nicely without too many bright colors. But it was still cozy. When looking at the guy, nobody could've guessed he had the greatest taste in decor Obanai's ever seen. And it was insanely clean; always smelling clean too.
"Mm, I love your house," Obanai stated as he plopped onto the couch, pulling his bandages off his face before bundling into a blanket.
"Tsk, make yourself at home I guess," Sanemi complained but Obanai knew he didn't care. Sanemi walked over to face Obanai, "Move your ass over" He demanded as he plopped next to Obanai, his body practically leaning into his lap. Sanemi always liked getting close, and Obanai never felt the need to push him off.
Obanai felt like he could finally breathe again, his body relaxing as his hand went to run through Sanemi's fluffy, pale white locks of hair while Sanemi scrolled through movies on the television. Nothing felt wrong anymore. Maybe he was just nervous around Mitsuri still. They are new in their relationship. He's been this close with Sanemi for years, it's normal to feel more human around him.
"Should we watch thriller or comedy like usual..?" Sanemi asked, shaking Obanai's thigh to get him to pay attention. "Maybe even some mixture of both."
"Uhm.. can we watch romance?" Obanai suggested.
"Woah, romance? Thought you hated those sappy movies.. has being a taken man changed you, or is it Mitsuri waring off on you?" Sanemi teased.
"Tsk, shuddup and play something," Obanai huffed, embarrassed.
"Fine, fine," Sanemi quit playing around and played the first romance option he could find, The Notebook.
(Mitsuri's POV)~
After that early conversation with Shinobu, Mitsuri had been all off balance. She's been constantly messing up in the kitchen, too busy zoned off to really pay attention to anything she was doing. Why had she acted that way? What was going on? Did Kochou notice? Does she think Mitsuri it weird? Ugh, why did she even care so much. It really didn't matter. Kochou isn't even that kind of person, she is understanding and kind. Mitsuri was just overwhelming herself with these dumb ideas and confusing herself getting lost in all these weird feelings.
"Mitsuriii?? What's on your mind?" Rengoku finally asked after Mitsuri zoned off, suffocating the cupcake she was decorating in frosting.
"Ah, shoot!!" She snapped out of it and quit squeezing the piping bag, "Sorry, Rengoku-Chan.. It's just that.. I've had a really awkward conversation with Kochou-San earlier.." Mitsuri admitted.
"Hm, what happened?" Rengoku asked.
Mitsuri sighed and put the bag of frosting down.
"This whole morning had me messed up, Rengoku. First, it was super awkward with Obanai for some reason, it felt all weird. Like we were super dry and quiet. Then while I was all distracted by that, I had ran into Kochou without noticing and when she talked to be, I was all weird! I was super shy and nervous and I complimented her a bunch. It was so uncomfortable. I was blushing so much and I was all embarrassed and shy. But it was just Kochou. I don't know why I acted the way I did and I can't get it off of my head. And then I invited her over to try some cakes at 4." Mitsuri explained, her hands going all over the place as she spoke.
"Hm," Rengoku thought before coming up with a good response, "Well, it is still early in your relationship with Obanai so maybe it's just because it's such a new relationship, you both are just adjusting. And maybe because you were already set off balance, you were super awkward." Rengoku suggested. "I'd suggest ignoring it for now because she'll be coming over soon."
It made sense, yes, but deep down, Mitsuri felt like it was something else. It felt like that couldn't be it. There was something else, messing up with her head and her heart. But for now she'll ignore it. And make some cakes.
"Okay.... Okay!! You're right. I'll lock in. Let's go," Mitsuri smiled and nodded eagerly as she picked her icing bag back up and was ready to make some pretty deserts.
"Mhm!! And I'll help you too," Rengoku offered as he went to make some more batter.
(Obanai's POV)~
"I'm never watching another romance movie, what the fuck." Sanemi swore as he wiped his eyes.
Obanai could agree. It was super sad and sweet, but sad. He wasn't crying but Sanemi definitely was, since he felt the wetness from his tears on his shirt where Sanemi had buried his face.
"You're getting my shirt all wet.." Obanai complained.
"You suggested we watched a romance movie, your fault." Sanemi said.
"You chose the movie though." Obanai shot back.
"Whatever.." Shinazugawa huffed, giving up. The side of his face pressed against Obanai's chest. It was as if Obanai was a pillow for him. That's when the thought finally make it to Obanai's mind; this wasn't normal for friends. To be all cuddly together, watching romance movies. To be hugging and holding each other so close. This isn't something best friends should do casually. It's something couples do. It felt wrong morally. He had Mitsuri, right? He shouldn't be doing this with Sanemi. But It felt right. Like this was where he belonged, like this was right. He didn't want to get up, he didn't want to leave this ever.
"You okay?" Obanai asked, his arm wrapped around Sanemi's head.
"Mhm." Shinazugawa nodded, "the movie was actually pretty nice. Just sad as fuck." Sanemi admitted.
"Aw, you into romance movies too now?" Obanai teased.
"Ugh no. I only watched it cause you wanted to." Sanemi told him.
"How sweet of you." Obanai ruffled his hair. A smile painted his face, he rarely wore one but Shinazugawa always managed to pull one outta him.
"hm.." Obanai hummed.
"What are you thinking about?" Sanemi asked, moving away to look at Obanai.
"Nothing.." Obanai shook his head but Sanemi pinched his cheek.
"Liar!" Sanemi exclaimed, "come onnn, tell mee.." Sanemi pouted, it was always silly to see a buff, manly dude, pouting while being all up in his lap. But Sanemi's always been childish, after the battle, he's been more open with emotion.
"Fine, fine... I was just- thinking about Mitsuri and..." Obanai admitted.
"Oh lord, I don't wanna know about that." Sanemi turned away, giving Obanai space now.
"No, it's not that sappy shit. It's more than that..." Obanai grabbed ahold of his bicep, pulling him back. "It's weird. I get me and her are dating, but it just doesn't feel like it. We aren't close, and we are still awkward. It's almost stranger like."
"Oh." Sanemi blinked, "You don't like her?"
"No, I do like her. A lot. She's... great. Amazing even. But we're more friendly than being an actual couple." Obanai explained.
"Well, you never been in a relationship. Maybe you just don't know how to be a couple yet." Sanemi suggested.
"I guess... But it feels different. We both are uncomfortable, I can tell." Obanai sighed.
"Oh." Sanemi went quiet, he probably didn't know what else to say.
"It's alright, thanks, Shinazugawa." Obanai sighed.
"No, it's not alright. You are upset." Sanemi argued. "If you don't feel comfortable in a relationship, you should talk about it to Mitsuri, or someone at least."
"I guess so." Obanai blinked, Sanemi's words were unexpected. But it helped. Maybe he would go talk it out with Mitsuri later.