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Sakura was a bit nervous. Well a bit nervous would be an understatement. Yes, he knew he went an all-boys-school and that they were all delinquents, but that didn't mean they were above doing girly things. As a matter of fact since they all acted as a big ass family it was evident that a holiday like this one wouldn't go unnoticed. At first he was fine with it, but then Umemiya had to screw up things for him.
Ever since he announced that he would be making chocolates to share with everyone, as expected, and for the person he liked everyone went nuts. The rest of the school acted like it was the end of the fucking world and they had to make chocolate and confess his feelings before Valentine's day was over. Of course his classmates had joined the collective dementia. After all, some of them were already a couple or it was pretty obvious that something was going on between some of them.
So yes, Sakura was in a thigh-spot: either he didn't make the chocolate and admitted in front of his class that he was a scaredy cat, or he could make the chocolate and made a fool of himself in front of the person he liked. Because, yes he did like someone, and it was pretty damn obvious to the point that most of his friends knew. Any option was very embarrassing, but he knew he had to take a decision soon, at least before speaking with Tsubaki. Because it wasn't like he could ignore his friend forever, and even if he could, Suo for sure would rat him out. Then the two of them, plus maybe Nirei, would meddle with his love life and he sure as hell didn't want that. After all, the only thing he had in his favor was that the person he liked didn't know about his crush.
Or at least he thought so. It would be so embarrassing if he did, because this person not only used to be "his enemy" until recently, but now he was one of his friends. Well that was at least Togame said so, and he had helped him so many times ever since that he had to believe him. Plus Sakura wanted to, he wanted to be close to him, in any way that was possible. Even just as friends. Actually right now friends was okay to him, because all this friendship business was new to him, so romance was a bit too much for him to handle right now. Yet he didn't want to be seen as a coward by the rest, hell if he wanted to be the one who stands at the top, he had to step up and give the example. But it was too embarrassing, why the hell Umemiya had to announce it in front of all of the school? He should've made his chocolates in secret and surprise everyone. It didn't matter right now, his reputation was at stake so he had to make a choice.
That was why he was staring to the cacao in the supermarket lost in thought, until a salesgirl asked if he needed help and he grabbed one and hurried to the register to pay and leave. Now that he had all the ingredients, he only had to man-up.
As he predicted, the next morning Tsubaki came to the first year's classroom looking for him.
"Sakuraaa". He launched himself at the younger boy and held him in a tight hugh. Sakura blushed at the action.
"Could you let me go? I can hardly breathe." He replied.
"Sorry, sorry. I got carried away, hehe. So, how have you been?" He said, knowingly. And Sakura knew that he knew.
"...good. And you?"
"I'm great. So excited for tomorrow, aren't you excited??"
"I'm fine" he said all-blushed-up to the ears.
"Are you making Togame-kun something sweet?" Tsubaki said and Sakura almost exploded.
"Shhh keep it quiet. Do I look like I want others to know???" Sakura whispered as he dragged Tsubaki out of the classroom.
"Sorry, sorry." He apologized. "But are you??"
"I don't know."
"What do you mean you 'Don't know?' St. Valentine's is tomorrow!!"
"I know, I know but..."
"But what??"
"It's so embarrassing, okay? I'm not as confident as you. Plus, he probably doesn't see me like that..." There was a sad undertone that didn't go unnoticed by Tsubaki. He felt in need to cheer up the boy.
"Sakura, even if he doesn't, do you think Togame would think less of you? Because I don't think so."
He wouldn't, he is not like that, the boy thought. Tsubaki smiled seeing that he managed to ease his friend.
"See? Everything's going to go fine."
Sakura really liked Tsubaki. He knew the other boy saw him as a little brother, and for some reason it wasn't awkward or embarrassing. It made his heart smile instead. After he cooled down he listened to the older boy rant about Umemiya, and how he was going to make a whole box of different flavors for his dearest to taste before he left.
Sakura wasn't left much longer with his thoughts before the other two of the furin trio showed up before him.
"Sakura-san!" Nirei greeted, Suo just smiled.
"Hey..."
"Sakura-san, are you ready for tomorrow?" Nirei eagerly asked. Suo just smiled smugly. Ah, how he wanted to punch that cocky smile out of his friend's face.
"Sure."
"For real??"
"Yea...how about you guys?" Uno reverse, ha. He thought.
"Ah, yes! I-I think I'm ready." Nirei replied nervously. It was pretty obvious who would be the receiver of his chocolates, it could only be the boy with the eyepatch standing beside him.
"How a-about you, Suo-san?" The blonde asked so blushed, almost like Sakura got even for the smallest thing.
"I'm ready as I'll ever be." Suo said calmly, and somehow Nirei got even redder. Poor thing, Sakura thought, because Nirei was the only one that didn't know that Suo reciprocated his feelings. He was finding out soon though.
"How brave! As expected of Suo-san" Suo just smiled at the compliment. Sakura wondered how they would be as a couple. Probably super cheesy, and protective on Suo's side, but he didn't have time to worry himself with others love life. Right now he had more than enough on his plate.
For Sakura the hours seemed to pass slower today, so he almost yelled in relief when school was over. Lucky for him he didn't had any patrol or meeting today, because with how much time he spent deciding, he wouldn't have enough time to have the chocolates ready before tomorrow.
When he arrived home he thew everything away and got with the cooking right away. He had picked the recipe that seemed the simplest, because: one, it was his first time making chocolate, and two, he hated wasting food. He could've asked for Kotoha's help, it probably would be much more easier, but he didn't want to. He'd rather make a not-so-tasty chocolate than admit to Kotoha he was giving someone chocolate for Valentine's day. She would tease him till the day he died for sure, and now that he was doing it it didn't seem so hard. He wouldn't say he was a master at it, but for someone who hardly cooked he was doing pretty well actually.
Once he was done he stared at his creation. It looked like chocolate and when he tried it tasted like chocolate. Sakura's serious demeanor morphed into one of contempt as he smiled at it.
It almost felt like a victory, almost, because in that very he realized he had overlooked something, and it was really important. He had yet to give the chocolates to Togame.
Sakura felt hot all over at the thought. He had focused so much in making the chocolates, that he completely forgot about making sure the other boy got those chocolates, because now that he made them there is no way he would call it quits.
It will be really hard, though. The boy figured, because not only he had to make sure none of his friends found out about it, he would die of embarrassment otherwise, but he had to manage to find a moment and a place when Togame would be alone. That was probably even more difficult, because the only place he knew he would find him was the Shishitoren base, and no matter that they were in good terms now, he wouldn't go in there. Not with a box full of Valentine's chocolate at least. Maybe if he were Suo he could lie his way through it, but he couldn't. Sakura wore his heart on his sleeve, his red face would tell on him no matter what came out of his mouth. So meeting at the ex theater was a no-no.
Lucky for Sakura at that very moment a notification from the group chat made his phone sound. Of course, a message, he thought. He and Togame had exchanged numbers once in case "something" happened. What never came to the boy's mind was that "something" wouldn't be anything else than a fight, in this case the totally opposite: a declaration of love. He blushed once again at the thought, but decided to carry on.
Hey, he wrote. No, no. That was too casual.
What's up, No! That was somehow worse. Sakura cursed his lack of social skills. Kiryu would have it so easy. He thought and delated the text from Togame's chat.
After a while he decided to go with "hey"and the second he pressed sent he threw his phone in a drawer and closed it. I don't know why I did that. Sakura asked himself, but he didn't open de drawer. He tried to distract himself while doing the dishes but it was useless, his heart was racing so fast he was afraid of having a heart attack. Just the idea of that notification popping up was putting him on edge, and eventually, it happened. He rushed towards to the drawer like it was an emergency, and when he opened it he hurried to read the message.
Hey
How r u Sakura??
Long time no see
Did smth happen? 🤨
Oh god why does he need to be so caring, he complied as he started at the screen pacing back and forward in the apartment, but actually that was one of the things that made Sakura fall for him.
Doing good, you? He settled for a "cool reply," but still trembled the moment he saw the three dots on the screen.
I'm great
Thx 4 askin 😎
Did u need smth? He replied and Sakura wanted to pull all his hair off his head. Yeah, actually I'm in love with you and wanted to show you with the chocolates I made. He couldn't just say that! That would be utterly embarrassing and his poor heart could only bear so much, so he tried to be more vague.
Not really
Are you doing something tomorrow? He could swear his heart beated louder every time he typed on his phone.
On Valentine's day?
Nah only the guys w gfs
I don't get stuff anymore 🤣
Not anymore? That could only mean one thing: he was used to that before. Of course he was. Sakura felt so childlike, he'd never gotten anything for Valentine's, and Togame had plenty experience. Should I really go on with it? He asked himself and before he could come up with an answer a new notification showed up.
Do you wanna hang out? The screen said and Sakura let out the air he didn't know he had been holding. He rushed to reply.
Sure. What do you want to do? Not that he cared. They could do nothing at all and he would go to bed with a smile at the end of the day. But he needed to give him the chocolates. That was what this whole thing was about.
Idk
Let's meet first and decide
U cool? Yes, yes, yes. He was more than cool with that. He was so cool, absolutely cool with it.
Ok. Time and place? He replied instead.
2.p.m at the park? Technically he would be at school at that time, but tomorrow would be chaos so he didn't plan to go. And the park was okay, it wasn't too close but not that far. I can't believe this is happening, the boy muttered.
Ok. See you there. Sakura typed and threw himself into his futon. I did it, I'm going to see him tomorrow. He opened the group chat and scrolled through it, everyone seemed pretty exited about tomorrow and he couldn't blame them, he was pretty excited himself.
After reading he sent "goodbye" and that "he was going to bed." He then plugged on his phone and turned the lights off. He was tired after everything that had happened, so sleep came to him easy. Maybe if he was lucky enough, he could dream about Togame as well.
The fourteenth greeted him like a normal day would. Except this wasn't a normal day so Sakura unconsciously woke up before the alarm. He was about to put his uniform and go when he remembered he wasn't planning on attending class today, so he didn't need to rush and grab something from the konbini on the way.
I should wear something more casual. Even if there was nothing casual about it. Sakura opted for wearing same thing he had worn, when they visited Tsubaki at the Red District. Either way, he didn't have much more options.
Once dressed he went out looking something to eat. He was on his way to Potus when he remembered that he didn't want to see Kotoha yet, he could swear that woman could hear his thoughts, or ran into some Furin member. So instead he went the opposite direction, where he was pretty sure there was a store.
He bought some essentials and then headed back home. After having breakfast it was still too early to get going, so he didn't know what to do with his time. He tried to focus on other thinks like rearranging his stuff, but he didn't own enough things fo it to be a long task. Then he grabbed two jump issues that someone, probably one of his friends, had left at his place. He read it and he laughed a bit with One Piece, and then he had nothing to do again. He looked the clock, it marked 1:33 p.m. Okay, finally it is time. He checked his appearance a bit to then grab the bag with chocolate and his belongings and go.
He had been to the park once or twice so he had no need for directions. When he arrived it was still early and there were no signs of Togame so he decided to wait on a bench. He stared to the sky and kind of dissociated for a while and when he realized there was a tall figure covering the sunlight.
"Yo, Sakura." Togame greeted, and Sakura almost jumped because of the surprise.
"Hey..." he replied, bashfully, but tying not to.
"Nice day, right? What do you want to do?" The other asked and Sakura's mind went blank.
Quick. Think something. Any excuse is good. Sakura had no idea of what to say. He had tired his braincells thinking of everything else, that he forgot to think of an excuse to see the boy.
"I...you," he began mumbling.
"What? I didn't heard you. I was thinking of going back to my place, we can eat something and watch a movie or play some video games." His place? Just us? Sakura couldn't tell for sure, but if he had a mirror his face most likely would be tomato red by now.
"...okay." He ended up saying and they got going, even if it wasn't what he wanted to. He did want to go to Togame's house, but not like he would with his friends. He didn't want his efforts to go to waste.
"We're almost there, just a couple of blocks away." The older boy said leading the way and Sakura knew he had to do something before it turned into just a friend gathering.
"Wait," he said probably louder than he intended. Togame stopped on his tracks.
"Sakura, is everything okay?" He was about to reach out to the other boy, but Sakura stopped him.
"I made you chocolate, not obligatory chocolate." He said and handed the other the bag that he had been carrying all this time with no explanation.
"Oh," Togame said "may I open it?" Sakura just shook his head. Togame opened up the bag and found a little heart-shaped box.
"Can I try it?" He politely asked.
"There are for you. Do what you want." Sakura replied not looking at him, incapable of hiding his embarrassment at this point. The other boy then opened it and grabbed a pieced and put it on his mouth. Sakura watched it like it was in slow motion as his heart pounded like crazy. Hot, hot, hot, was all his mind could think so.
"It's really good. Thank you Sakura." The other said with his charming smile and his bright green eyes focused on him. Sakura felt prey before those eyes.
"It's nothing, really," he felt the need to avoid eye contact "I just wanted you to know." He took a few steps back thinking he was done embarrassing himself for the day before Togame gabbed his forearm.
"I feel bad, though. I didn't get you anything." He said so smoothly, that it felt like a caress.
"It's fine, dude." Sakura said shaking, feeling like he was about to get eaten instead of rejected.
"No, it's not fine." The other insisted. "Now I want you to have chocolate as well." What the heck? This isn't how are you supposed to get rejected, is it? Sakura inside was a mess, he was already nervous and as Togame slowly approached he got even worse.
"Just buy me some another time, it's not that serious," the younger boy managed to say.
"But I want you to taste some chocolate right now." The taller boy pouted. "Can I try something?" Togame asked and Sakura lost the ability to say anything but yes. He wanted everything that the other boy had to offer, even if he wasn't sure about he was going to get.
"...okay." He said finally said and Togame grinned almost like that time they fought.
"Close your eyes Sakura." The other said and he looked at him like he didn't understood.
"Just do as I say, okay?" Togame went back to that smooth tone. "Trust me." And Sakura did.
Immediately he felt strong arms surrounding his waist and pulling him forward. Then being stopped by something. It was warm and broad, the arms settled at his waist. His eyes were still closed, so he was expectant of was coming next. Then his lips were covered by something even more warm and smooth and only when they moved he realized he was being kissed. A first kiss. With Togame. After the shock he kissed back. Or at least tried to. Sakura moved his lips but he didn't know if he was doing it the right way or where to place his arms, that moved between Togame's shoulders and his back. After a while the older boy pulled back from the kiss, Sakura immediately opened his eyes.
"Did you tasted it?" Togame asked and Sakura at first went huh. Then he realized he meant his own chocolate and his face turned a different shade of red.
"Sorry Sakura, I was trying to do things the proper way, but then you asked me out and made me chocolate, and I went a little crazy." The other went back to his default silly persona.
"I didn't ask you out." Sakura said it out loud, before he could think it. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
"No?" Togame asked.
"No."
"But, I like you and you like me so let's make it a date." Togame said like he was talking about the weather, Sakura didn't know where to hide. How can he be so straightforward?
"Eh...I..."
"What's wrong did I do something wrong?" Togame wondered.
"No!" Sakura screamed. The boy he liked said he liked him back. And he kissed him. Is he going to kiss me again? Sakura shivered at the thought.
"We can go..." Sakura said. Togame just smiled fondly.
"Do you still wanna go to my house? Don't worry, I won't try anything else today, haha." He said, and Sakura's heart beat harder. Today? Sakura could barely believe what he was hearing. After all today he had left his house believing he was going to get rejected.
"Let's go to your house." He finally said, gathering all the bravery he had in him. Togame just smiled.
"Okay." The boy said as he grabbed Sakura's hand. "Let's go." Sakura let himself be lead by the other one. At first he felt his cheeks burn by the action but as they walked his chest began to felt lighter. Only then, when he had calmed down he let himself be embraced by the heat growing inside him.
He kissed me, he said he liked me, I'm holding his hand and we are going on a date. Even if it was hard to believe everything was real and happened because of the stupid chocolate. Maybe Umemiya had a point after all. Maybe St. Valentine's wasn't just some stupid tradition. He would later talk to his friends and found out how it went for them.
"Sakura." Togame pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Yes?"
"Expect something on white day." The taller boy winked at him, and he blushed. He would have to get used to this kind of affection as well. He didn't worry about it though, if Togame was something was calm and patient.