Chapter Text
“I like him.”
The thought came uninvited, settling heavily in Hirano’s chest as he watched Kagi-kun sleep.
Morning light slipped through the thin gap in the curtains, casting a pale gold glow across the room. It caught in Kagi’s messy hair, softened the sharp lines of his face, made him look younger somehow. Peaceful. Vulnerable.
Hirano swallowed.
When did it get this bad?
He pushed himself up from his futon, trying to shake off the strange, restless feeling clinging to him. Everything felt slightly different today. The air. His heartbeat. The way his gaze kept drifting back to the boy beside him.
“Kagi-kun,” he said gently, giving his shoulder a small shove. “Come on. It’s time to wake up.”
A groan came from beneath the covers.
“I don’t want to…” Kagi mumbled, voice thick with sleep. He shifted, pulling the blanket tighter around himself. “Five more minutes. Please.”
Hirano sighed, trying to ignore the fond smile tugging at his lips.
“No. You’re going to be late for practice again.”
Suddenly, a hand shot out from under the blanket and grabbed his wrist.
Hirano yelped softly as he was tugged forward. He stumbled, barely managing to catch himself against the wall before he could fall straight onto the bed.
“Kagi-kun—!” he hissed. “What was that for? I almost fell on you!”
Kagi peeked up at him, eyes half-lidded and unfocused, hair a complete mess. He looked far too comfortable.
“Wouldn’t have minded,” he murmured.
Hirano’s heart stuttered.
For a moment, they were too close — close enough for Hirano to feel the warmth radiating from beneath the covers, close enough to notice the faint flush on Kagi’s cheeks.
Or maybe that was just his imagination.
“Stop playing around,” Hirano muttered, though his voice came out softer than he intended. “There’s no time for games.”
He tried to pull his hand back, but Kagi’s grip tightened just slightly.
Just enough.
Heat rushed to Hirano’s face. His pulse hammered in his ears.
I’ve fallen. Completely.
Somewhere between shared late-night snacks and whispered conversations in the dark, between arguments about whose turn it was to clean and quiet moments just like this… he had fallen head over heels.
And the worst part?
He wanted Kagi all to himself.
“Kagi-kun,” he tried again, more quietly this time.
If he stayed any longer, he wasn’t sure what would slip out of his mouth.
“Kagi-kun,” Hirano said again, quieter now.
Kagi’s fingers were still wrapped loosely around his wrist. Not tight enough to trap him. Just enough to keep him there.
“Practice…” Hirano tried, though his voice lacked conviction.
Kagi’s eyes fluttered open a little more, still hazy with sleep. He looked up at Hirano like this was the most normal thing in the world — like pulling him close, like holding onto him first thing in the morning, was nothing special.
But to Hirano, it was everything.
“Five minutes,” Kagi murmured again, this time softer. “Stay.”
Stay.
The word hit harder than it should have.
Hirano hesitated. He should pull away. He should remind him about practice, about responsibility, about the fact that they were just roommates.
Just friends.
Instead, he slowly lowered himself to sit on the edge of the bed.
“Five minutes,” he agreed, pretending his heart wasn’t racing.
Kagi made a satisfied sound and shifted closer, still half-asleep. His grip loosened but didn’t disappear. Their shoulders brushed.
Hirano went still.
The room was quiet except for the faint hum of morning outside and Kagi’s steady breathing. Warmth seeped through the thin fabric of their shirts. Hirano could feel every small movement, every breath.
This is dangerous, he thought.
Because if Kagi ever looked at him fully awake — really looked at him — Hirano wasn’t sure he’d be able to hide the way he felt.
After a few moments, Kagi’s breathing evened out again.
He’d fallen back asleep.
Hirano stared at him in disbelief.
“You’re unbelievable,” he whispered.
Carefully, gently, he reached up and brushed a strand of hair from Kagi’s face.
His fingers lingered for just a second too long.
“I like you,” he confessed under his breath, too quiet for anyone to hear. “So hurry up and wake up already… before I lose my nerve.”
He stood then, stepping back before he could do something even more reckless.
Pulling the curtains open, sunlight flooded the room.
“Kagi-kun!” Hirano said more firmly this time. “If you’re late again, I’m not covering for you!”
A groan erupted from the bed.
“Mean…”
Hirano smiled despite himself.
Maybe today wasn’t the day he confessed.
But someday soon.
And when that day came, he wouldn’t let himself run away.