Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

They worked in silence, disturbed only by the scratching of pens… and the pinging of a phone. Mikoshiba looked at his phone, blushed, and typed out a reply. Sakura ignored him. Nozaki tried to ignore him and concentrate on his manga, but instead of Mamiko talking to Suzuki, Mamiko was talking to an anthropomorphised smartphone, and all of a sudden her facial expressions had become limited to emoji. Damn.

He sighed, and Chiyo perked up, attentive. “What’s wrong, Nozaki?”

Nozaki showed her. They glanced sideways at Mikoshiba, but he hadn’t noticed, his attention absorbed by the phone and his flowers.

“Is he still talking with Mayumayu?” she asked.

Nozaki nodded. “That isn’t the only problem, though.” He got his phone. “Mikoshiba showed me her blog.”

He held out his phone so Chiyo could take a look at the generously proportioned judo girls. Chiyo blushed, a hand going to her mouth. She looked suspiciously at Mikoshiba, then met Nozaki’s frantic gaze.

“Mamiko isn’t supposed to like big boobs!” he cried, a little too loudly.

“Huh? Did you say something?” Mikoshiba looked up.

“No, no!” Chiyo said hurriedly, and the redhead went back to his work.

The other two lowered their heads. “We have to find out who Mayumayu is,” he said.

Chiyo nodded in agreement. “It’s not right for Mamiko to be looking at that kind of stuff.”

“Okay then,” Nozaki replied. “I’ll email the blog, and try to get a response.”

Mikoshiba’s phone buzzed again, and they both grit their teeth.

Nozaki stood up abruptly. “That’s enough work for today, you two.”

Mikoshiba blinked. “Are you sure?”

Nozaki nodded. Mikoshiba packed his stuff away and grabbed his bag, texting even as he left. Nozaki clenched his fists. For the sake of Mamiko’s innocence, he had to stop this!

***

Nozaki was very pleased with himself. He had just sent off an email to Mayumayu, and had signed it as Sakiko Yumeno, so he was confident he’d get a reply. He was having dinner at his parents’ home, and food was just about to be served.

“Mayu!” Nozaki called, walking into his brother’s room. As was to be expected, Mayu was attached to his bed, but what was unusual was the phone in his hands. About the same time Mikoshiba had met Mayumayu, Mayu had begun to text this girl he’d met online, the sudden spur of activity bringing his tears to his parents’ eyes.

He was about to go over to his brother when he noticed something on Mayu’s desk, and stopped dead.

“Um… Mayu?”

His brother grunted.

“Did you draw these?” Nozaki asked. They looked suspiciously similar to Mayumayu’s sketches…

Mayu nodded.

“Did you copy them?”

Mayu shook his head. Nozaki’s head was beginning to spin.

“What… what are they for?”

“Judo.”

Calm down. Relax. Breathe. Don’t jump to conclusions, Nozaki.

Their Mum called them from the kitchen again, and Mayu put his phone on charge, sliding off the bed and trudging to the other room. Nozaki considered following him, but then remembered he was defending Mamiko’s innocence and grabbed his brother’s phone. He didn’t know the passcode, but he didn’t need to. There, on the screen, one new notification:

<Mamiko ♡> I don’t like fish either. The bones rly annoy me too! (*≧▽≦)

Chapter Text

Chiyo took a deep breath, and knocked on the door.

This was it. Her time had come.

Nozaki needed her – he’d said it was an emergency. Of course, she’d been disappointed before, but she wouldn’t lose hope! If Nozaki needed her, then she’d always be there for him!

She’d come prepared with ink, medicine and art supplies, and had also managed to sneak some homemade chocolates into her bag. You know, just in case. The door opened, and Nozaki poked his head round the corner.

Chiyo gasped.

There were bags under his eyes, his face was pale and his hair dishevelled. He gripped the door weakly, and his smile was wobbly.

“Come inside,” he croaked. Chiyo darted inside, setting her bag down and immediately reaching up to place her hand against Nozaki’s head. His skin was a little sweaty, but otherwise it was of a normal temperature.

“Um…” Nozaki started. “What are you doing?”

“Checking your temperature,” she replied.

“I’m not sick.”

“Th-then why…?” Chiyo stammered.

Nozaki sat down, looking at her gravely. “Mamiko is gay.”

She blinked. “What?”

“It’s true,” Nozaki replied. “She’s in love with Mayumayu.”

Chiyo rubbed her temple. “But… Mamiko isn’t real… Oh!” She started. “You mean Mikorin is gay!”

Nozaki nodded.

Chiyo shrugged. If she thought about it, it wasn’t that surprising… Wait.

“How did you find out?” Could it be…? Chiyo stood up in outrage. Did Mikorin betray her!? Did he make a move on her beloved Nozaki-kun!? “Did he hit on you!? Is he planning on stealing you from me!?”

“No, no, nothing like that,” Nozaki said quickly.

Chiyo breathed a sigh of relief and sat back down. She frowned. “Then… how do you know?”

“He’s in love with Mayumayu.”

“… Mayumayu’s a girl.”

“No she’s not,” Nozaki said. “She’s my brother.”

Chiyo’s eyes widened. “Mayumayu is Mayu!?” Oh wait, that made a lot of sense actually.

“Yes,” Nozaki confirmed. “I saw his drawings, and when I looked on his phone he was texting Mamiko.”

“Oh, that’s alright then.” Chiyo stroked her chin. “I don’t see what the problem is…”

Nozaki stared at her in disbelief. “What do you mean? They can never learn the truth!”

“But…”

“No. Never. Mayu and Mikoshiba cannot be allowed to date.”

“That’s not fair!” Chiyo protested. “It’s not – ”

Nozaki was on the verge of tears. “If they date then Mikoshiba will be corrupted by my brother’s laziness and Suzuki will be forever flowerless!”

Chiyo reached out to calm him down. “There, there, it can’t be that bad…”

“…they’ll won’t wake up until the afternoon and Mikoshiba won’t have the strength to lift a pen and – ”

“Nozaki,” Chiyo interrupted. “Mikorin won’t stop working for you just because he’s dating Mayu.” She tossed her hair. “Besides, you don’t even know if Mayu’s gay.”

“Oh, that’s not an issue. Worrying about gender is too much of an effort for him.”

“… Right.”

They sat down.

“Do they know who the other is?” Chiyo asked.

Nozaki shook his head. “They both think the other’s a girl.”

Chiyo frowned. “Then why did you say Mikorin was gay?”

“Don’t be silly, Chiyo,” Nozaki dismissed. “If Mayu was a real girl then Mikoshiba would’ve been too embarrassed to talk to her and they wouldn’t have fallen in love.”

“I guess…” Chiyo wasn’t going to deny that Mikorin had a massive crush on Mayumayu. He got flustered just by reading her (his) texts, after all. “But how do you know Mayu feels the same way about Mamiko? I mean Mikorin?”

Nozaki showed her his phone. “His texting has evolved because of him.”

“Oh wow!” Chiyo marvelled. “A full sentence!”

“See?” Nozaki put his phone away.

They sat in silence for a while.

Chiyo cleared her throat. “Then… what are we going to do?”

Nozaki furrowed his brows. “There’s only one thing we can do.” He breathed in. “We have to tell them.”

“What!?” Chiyo cried. “No! We can’t interfere!”

He frowned. “Then what would you suggest?”

She looked at him seriously. “We have to set them up.”

“What, like on a date?”

“Or something.” She nodded. “We need to make them fall in love in real life, too.”

Nozaki’s eyes brightened, and he stood up. “Yes! That’s it!” He clapped his hands together. “Perfect!”

Chiyo beamed at the praise.

“I shall invite Mayu round every day, and then we’ll pretend to go to the shops to leave the alone…”

“Yeah!” she grinned, her smile threatening to break free from her face. This would mean she’d get to spend more time together with Nozaki!

“Right.” Nozaki clenched his fists. “Operation MayuMiko is underway!”

Chapter Text

Day one of Operation MayuMiko: in effect.

Nozaki had invited his brother over, and Mayu was slumped in the corner, lounging on some pillows. He was possibly asleep, but Nozaki knew that he would wake up eventually. Hopefully. His phone had ran out of charge and was plugged into the socket in the corner, so thankfully they had a respite from the constant texting.

He looked at Mikoshiba. The redhead was busy with his work, petals blooming across the page now that Mayumayu wasn’t responding. He was humming to himself, smiling. It wasn’t difficult to guess why. Nozaki glanced at his brother. Mayu’s face was expressionless, his eyes closed.

They were working in quiet, but the atmosphere was relaxed. Perfect.

He taped the table, and caught Chiyo’s attention with his eyes. She nodded. He coughed. “I have to go out to buy some ingredients from the supermarket,” he announced.

Chiyo jumped to her feet. “I’ll go too!”

Mikoshiba looked up. “What are you making?” he asked.

“Um… rice.”

“Rice?” Mikoshiba frowned, trying to peer past Nozaki into the kitchen. Nozaki blocked the view. “Don’t you already have…?”

“I need more rice.”

“Um…”

“Special rice.”

Mayu opened one eye.

“We’re going to the supermarket,” Chiyo explained.

Mayu closed his eye.

Mikoshiba shrugged.

“Let’s go, Chiyo,” Nozaki called.

“Coming!” the girl chirped, beaming giddily. They left, leaving the two boys alone…

***

Great.

Nozaki and Chiyo had deserted him, leaving him alone with Mayu. It’s not that Mikoshiba had anything against Mayu, it was just… awkward. The younger Nozaki seemed to be sleeping, but Mikoshiba was sure he’d seen him open an eye as the other two had left, so Mayu could in fact be awake.

If Mayu was awake, Mikoshiba felt as if he should say something to disperse the silence. Silences were awkward.

Mikoshiba coughed.

Mayu looked at him.

Oh crap! He hadn’t thought of what to say! Mikoshiba stuttered, embarrassed.

“Um… I mean…”

Like a statue shuddering to life, Mayu moved, crawling around the table and rested his weight on Mikoshiba, his chin tucked over Mikoshiba’s shoulder. Mikoshiba was blushing now, stammering. He could feel the heat of Mayu’s body weighing down on him, and Nozaki’s brother was heavy, being unfairly muscular for someone so lazy. Then again, the close contact didn’t surprise him that much. If Mayu had no concept of time then he shouldn’t be expected to have a concept of personal space, either.

Mayu pointed a finger at the flower he was drawing.

“This?” Mikoshiba smiled. “It’s a red camellia.”

It was one of his favourite flowers. The spiralling petals were somehow soothing, and the round curves were easy to draw.

“What does it mean?” Mayu asked.

“It represents being in love,” Mikoshiba explained. “See, in this panel, Suzuki just found Mamiko when she was lost at an amusement park…”

***

Chiyo hadn’t been expecting them to actually go to the supermarket, but to her surprise Nozaki did indeed buy more rice – three packets, of three different kinds. They were walking back from the supermarket in a comfortable silence, and Chiyo started skipping happily.

She was alone with Nozaki! This was their chance to bond, and have deep, meaningful conversations!

“So…” She smiled. “Do you like rice?”

Nozaki nodded. She filed that information away in the Nozaki section of her brain and was about to ask him what kind of rice he preferred, what he liked with it and if he’d fancy her cooking for him one day when Nozaki interrupted her:

“Do you think we can spy on them without them noticing?” he asked.

She blinked. “What?”

“Mikoshiba and Mayu.” He held up his camera. “Do you think they’d mind if I took photos?”

“What? Why!?”

He pouted. “I want references.”

“Of what?” Chiyo asked. “What are you expecting to happen?”

Nozaki looked at his feet. “Maybe they’ll… kiss, and stuff.”

Chiyo blushed. “Don’t you have enough references for kiss scenes?”

Nozaki’s eyes sparkled. “You can never have enough references.”

Chiyo thought for a moment. “Have you tried using yourself as a reference?”

Nozaki blushed, mumbling something.

“Huh?” Chiyo leaned in closer.

“I said it would be too embarrassing…”

Chiyo giggled to herself. That sounded like exactly something Mikorin would say!

They were back at his apartment all too soon, and Chiyo opened the door, Nozaki with his camera at the ready. Mikorin and Mayu were talking animatedly together, with Mayu using the redhead as a pillow. Well, Mikorin was talking animatedly; Mayu was listening.

Nozaki took a photo.

Mikorin started, his face going red. Mayu said “Hi.” There was a pause, and Mikorin swallowed nervously.

Nozaki looked at his camera, and sulked. “You aren’t kissing!”

Chapter Text

Hori and Nozaki walked side by side, discussing backgrounds.

“… all I’m saying is that it wouldn’t hurt to just do a rough sketch,” Hori said.

“I do,” Nozaki replied.

“Without boxes,” Hori deadpanned.

“But – ”

They were interrupted by a flock of girls blocking the hallway. Hori scowled.

“KASHIMA!” he growled. “Quit blocking the corridor!”

“Hori-senpai!” the said culprit grinned, breaking free of her gaggle of devotees. The girls decided they’d rather not risk Hori’s glower and scampered off, Kashima promising them sweet nothings as they left.

“So what were you guys talking about?” Kashima asked, leaning windowsill.

“Nothing,” Hori said quickly. “Why were you standing around after school?”

“Well, drama club’s not on today, and Mikoshiba said he had to go round to Nozaki’s house after school, so I had nothing to do,” she explained. She lowered her voice. “What exactly is it you all do, anyway?”

“We exchange favours,” Nozaki said.

“Oho?”

“It’s not like that,” Hori grumbled. They’d been talking for a while, and there weren’t that many people left in school. “Nozaki, shouldn’t you be going to meet Mikoshiba?”

“No.” He shook his head. “I have to wait a bit.”

He pointed, and they looked over to the school gates where Mikoshiba was talking with somebody. He was smiling, and seemed comfortable, so Hori could tell it wasn’t a girl.

He squinted. “Isn’t that your brother?”

“Yes.”

Mayu was still in his uniform, so he must have come as soon as his school finished.

Kashima whistled. “I didn’t know you had a brother. He looks just like you!”

“Why are you making them wait?” Hori frowned.

“They need to be alone together.”

Hori hesitated. “… Why?”

“So they can fall in love.”

Silence.

“Nozaki, that’s going too far.”

“No, you don’t understand!” Nozaki explained hastily. “They’re already in love, they just don’t know it!”

Kashima blinked. “What?”

Nozaki sighed. “They’ve been texting each other for ages, except they both think the other’s a girl.”

Kashima’s eyes widened. “Wait. Does that mean your brother is the same person Mikoshiba keeps messaging in class!?”

Nozaki nodded.

Hori looked aghast. “Mayu’s Mayumayu!?”

Again, Nozaki nodded.

Kashima laughed, wiping tears from her eyes. “Oh my gosh, this is too funny. Mikoshiba nearly got held behind because he wasn’t paying attention.”

“That’s not good.” Nozaki furrowed his brows. “If Mikoshiba’s late he won’t be able to meet Mayu…”

“So they both think the other’s a girl?” Hori asked.

“Yes.”

“Then what happens when they find out the other’s a guy?”

Nozaki blinked. “They start dating.”

“But…” Hori stuttered. “What if they’re not gay!?”

“I don’t know about your brother, but Mikoshiba’s definitely not straight,” Kashima said.

“How can you tell?”

“How can you not?”

Hori scratched his head, thinking back. Had Mikoshiba always been interested in guys? He supposed it was possible… The pieces fell into place and suddenly Hori remembered that Mikoshiba and Mamiko shared more similarities than differences, and yes, Mikoshiba was most definitely not straight. As for Mayu, well, Nozaki knew his brother better than he did.

“I think it’s cute.” Kashima smiled softly. “Maybe Mikoshiba will finally stop getting embarrassed so much?”

Hori and Nozaki both shook their heads. “That won’t happen.”

Kashima shrugged.

“What are you going to do about them?” Hori asked. Mikoshiba’s constant texting was a pain, and the other day he’d had to wrestle the urge to smash the redhead’s phone into smithereens.

Nozaki smiled proudly. “Chiyo and I have decided to set them up!”

Kashima clapped her hands, jumping excitedly. “I want to help I want to help I want to help!”

“Of course!” Nozaki said. “You’re his best friend, so you’ll be able to get us inside information.”

“Definitely not,” Hori said. “That would be a disaster.”

“Come on, Hori. Please?” she begged. “Pretty please? I won’t do anything bad.”

Hori folded his arms, but Kashima kept staring at him with those sparkling, green eyes and by God she was a brilliant actress. Hori gave in.

“Fine,” he said. “But only if you consult me first before doing anything.”

“Yeah, yeah, sure, sure.” Kashima grinned. “I need to go plan now.” She dashed off. “Bye!”

Hori’s shoulders slumped.

Mikoshiba, Mayu… he thought. I’m sorry in advance.

Chapter Text

Chiyo sat having lunch with Seo on a bench outside, humming happily. The sky was a clear blue, the sun bathing them in a warm light. A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, and Chiyo savoured every morsel of food from the bento Nozaki had prepared for her, indulging in each delicious flavour.

Seo watched her with a raised eyebrow. “Surely it can’t taste that good?”

“It’s because it was made by Nozaki!”

“Uh huh.”

Chiyo finished, and put the bento away. A thought occurred to her. “Say Seo?”

“Yeah?” she replied.

“How did you get Wakamatsu to go to the cinema with you?” Chiyo asked.

“I just gave him the tickets,” Seo said. She grinned. “Are you thinking of confessing to Nozaki again?”

“No, no.” Chiyo waved her off. “I was thinking of getting Mikorin to go with Nozaki’s brother.”

Seo frowned. “You mean Mikoshiba? You’re trying to set him up?”

Chiyo nodded enthusiastically.

“But why?”

“They’ve fallen in love through texting, but neither knows who the other is and they both think the other’s a girl, so now we’re making them fall in love in real life.”

Seo blinked. “Right.” She thought to herself for a moment. “Do you know if he’s gay?”

“Yeah,” Chiyo replied.

“Has he told you?”

She hesitated. “Well… no…”

Just then they heard the ping! of a phone, and Mikorin walked into view, texting Mayumayu with the most ridiculous grin on his face.

“Ah!” Seo stood up. “Just the person we were talking about!”

“Seo wait – ” Chiyo started, but the girl had already escaped and she went up right to Mikorin. Chiyo ran after her.

“Yo, Mikoshiba!” Seo smirked. The redhead shied away, shielding his phone.

He frowned. “What do you want?”

Chiyo reached out to stop her, but Seo blurted out: “Are you gay?”

Mikorin jumped, startled, his face going redder than his hair.

“W-What?” he stammered. “No, w-why would you th-think that?”

“Are you sure?”

“Y-Yes!” he cried. “I have a crush on a girl!”

Seo grinned wickedly. “She’s not – ”

Chiyo covered Seo’s mouth, dragging her away. “I’m sorry, Mikorin!” she called. “Ignore everything!”

Mikorin took this opportunity to run away before steam started to rise from his face.

“Aw, what did you do that for?” Seo complained. “Now I’ll have to corner him again.”

“No, you can’t tell him!”

She frowned, puzzled. “I thought you were trying to set them up.”

“We are, but they have to fall in love on their own,” Chiyo explained.

Seo rubbed her chin. “I see…”

“I asked you about the cinema because I wanted to try and get them to go on a date.”

“I get it, now.” Seo grinned. “And I might just have an idea…”

Chapter Text

Wakamatsu hugged the corner, his gaze focused on the music room. He kept a careful watch of who went in and who came out, and more importantly, what their voices sounded like. He had yet to pinpoint Lorelei’s true identity, but he felt as if he was making progress by carefully cataloguing each member’s information. When he finally found his goddess – he would confess his love for her, once and for all.

“Yo Waka!” called a voice.

He grimaced and felt his whole body shudder in anticipation. Someone knocked his head, and he turned around, smiling weakly.

“Seo-senpai.”

“Today after school you’re coming to the shopping centre with me, okay?” she said, grinning.

Wakamatsu felt sweat begin to trickle down his back. “Actually, I was planning on – ”

“You are coming, aren’t you?” She smiled, closing her eyes, and her tone left no room for argument.

His resolve crumbled away. “I suppose so…”

“Great!” She beamed. “I’ll meet you after school!”

***

<Mayumayu> I cant wait for school to end

<Mayumayu> It’s so boring

<Mamiko ♡> Aww, it can’t be that bad! Hang in there! (ノ^∇^)

Mikoshiba smiled to himself. Mayumayu was so cute! He wondered what she looked like… In his head he imagined her to be on the short side, with long dark hair, bright hazel eyes and a shy smile reserved only for him. Her clear, bell-like laugh would ring out when he made a joke, and they’d talk all night long, just as they already did except in person… He felt himself blushing.

And then he felt something else, the ghost of a much larger, much more masculine body leaning against him, and an undeniably manly scent…

Stop it, stop it, get it together. All these weird thoughts are just because of what Seo said – nothing more.

Nothing more.

He wasn’t… gay. He thought. He couldn’t be – he was in love with Mayumayu. True, he’d never met the girl, but she still counted. Right?

The bell announced the end of class, and he packed up his stuff, absent-mindedly thumbing his phone. No new messages. Chiyo was waiting for him outside his classroom, the ribbons on her hair bobbing happily.

“Hey, Mikorin,” she greeted, smiling. “Shall we go?”

“Yeah, let’s,” he replied. They’d arranged to go to a café at the shopping centre downtown to discuss plot ideas, him, Chiyo, Nozaki and Mayu. Mayu – whom he may or may not have just been daydreaming about.

No, don’t go there. Not when you’re about to see him!

Chiyo frowned. “Is everything alright?” she asked, concerned.

“I’m fine!” Mikoshiba stammered, waving his hands. Chiyo eyed him suspiciously, but let the subject drop.

They arrived at the café first, and sat down.

“We should wait for them before we order anything,” Mikoshiba suggested.

Chiyo nodded in agreement, browsing the menu. “Do you think Nozaki prefers chocolate or strawberry? Or maybe green tea flavour?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Strawberry, maybe?”

Chiyo wrote it down on her napkin. “I wonder which one Mayu prefers?” she mused.

“Whichever one’s easiest to eat, probably.”

“Chiyo!” Nozaki called, waving as he entered the café. His brother tailed him, and Mayu sat down in the chair opposite Mikoshiba. He promptly rested his head on the table.

“Good afternoon, Mikoto-san,” Mayu said.

Mikoshiba blinked, surprised. “Good… afternoon.”

Nozaki was nodding to himself, and Chiyo was beaming.

“Hey Nozaki, which do you prefer, chocolate, strawberry or green tea?” she asked.

“Strawberry, I guess.”

“I was right!” She grinned.

“Uh…” Mikoshiba wanted to point out that actually he was the one who had said that, but decided not to risk Chiyo’s anger.

The plan had originally been to figure out what was going to happen next in Let’s Fall in Love, however, Chiyo seemed perfectly content to ignore Mikoshiba and Mayu in favour of Nozaki, and he was beginning to feel a lot like a third wheel.

Because of that, he was almost thankful when Seo spotted them from across the shopping centre.

“Chiyo!” she cried, coming over with a mortified Waka in tow.

“Hi Seo, hey Waka,” Chiyo said, standing up.

“Thank goodness I ran into you!” Seo grinned. “I need a new bra but Waka has the worst taste in underwear.”

Mikoshiba and Wakamatsu’s faces burned matching shades of crimson, and Chiyo giggled.

“Of course I’ll help!” She linked arms with Wakamatsu and Seo.

“W-Wait a minute…” Wakamatsu stammered, but the girls were off. MIkoshiba felt a surge of pity, and thanked the gods he was not in that situation.

Nozaki stood up loudly, his chair scrapping backwards. “I shall go with them too.”

“What? Why!?” Mikoshiba cried.

Nozaki took his camera out, his eyes sparkling. “For reference.”

***

They went up the escalator and made their way to a bench Seo had scouted out earlier. The location was optimal – it gave them a clear view of the café, but did not allow them to be seen. Seo took a moment to congratulate herself on being so talented.

Nozaki joined them, using the opportunity to take advantage of the zoom function on his camera.

“Um…” Waka blinked. “What’s going on?”

“Shh,” Nozaki hushed. “We’re watching.”

Waka peered over the railing. He scratched his head. “We’re… spying on Mikoshiba and Mayu?”

They all nodded.

“Can I ask why?”

Chiyo briefly explained the situation to him. Waka looked rather flustered.

“You mean you’re all trying to set them up behind their backs!?” he cried. “That’s really creepy!”

Nozaki turned around. “How so?”

“You’re taking pictures,” Waka deadpanned.

Nozaki shrugged, and shuffled to get a better angle.

“You don’t seem that surprised that they’re both guys, though,” Chiyo commented.

Waka pondered this. “Well, Mikoshiba did once comment on my arm muscles…”

Chiyo frowned. “He did?”

“Mamiko was surprised by his boobs,” Nozaki explained. Chiyo nodded in understanding. Seo decided to ignore them and their secret language.

She ran a hand through her hair. “This is good, though.”

“It is?” Waka asked.

Seo grinned. “Yeah. It means Mikoshiba has a thing for big guys, and Mayu is ripped!”

Chiyo’s eyes widened. “That’s true!”

Nozaki considered this, rubbing his chin. “Then maybe we should get them in a situation where Mamiko can admire Suzuki’s muscles…”

“You mean Mikoshiba and Mayu,” Seo corrected.

“Right.” Nozaki nodded.

“Like swimming?” Waka suggested.

“Yeah!” Seo clapped. “I can wear that horrendous bikini Waka picked out for me!”

Waka scuttled backwards, his face steaming. “S-Seo-senpai!” He looked at the other two for help, but Nozaki was absorbed by his camera, and Chiyo was reciting some sort of ‘swimmingwithNozakiswimmingwithNozaki’ mantra.

Seo smirked, putting an arm around a mortified Waka.

“I’m looking forward to it already.”

***

<Mamiko ♡> How’s judo?

<Mamiko ♡> My friends dragged me to a cafe and just ditched me! (｡•́︿•̀｡)

Mayumayu hadn’t seen his messages, so she must have been busy. Mikoshiba sighed, putting his phone away. He really did want to at least meet her, but she still didn’t know he was a guy. How would she react if she found out? Would she reject him, or worse, report him!?

Mikoshiba shook his head. No, he couldn’t think about that now. Mayu had fallen asleep at the table, and as his senpai it was his duty to look after him, and make sure nothing happened to Nozaki’s brother. Not that many people would be crazy enough to disturb a sleeping giant, though…

Mayu looked peaceful while he slept, almost like a cat, and it was at that moment that Seo’s voice chose to ring in his ears.

“Are you gay?”

He frowned. Why would she think he was gay!?

Chiyo hadn’t acted that surprised either, so did that mean she thought so too? Come to think of it, Nozaki had been convinced he’d find Mayu and him kissing the other day… Was it possible? Did all three of them think he was gay!?

It’s not like he couldn’t appreciate when other guys were handsome. Mayu was very handsome, and extraordinarily well-built for someone who suffered from chronic lethargy. He noticed how broad Mayu’s shoulders were, and how his chest stretched his shirt and his biceps rippled. Mayu’s muscles were indeed a miracle of nature. It wasn’t fair! What did he have to do to get the same fantastic body as –

He did not just think that.

Mikoshiba did not think Mayu’s body was fantastic – not in that way. His muscles were impressive, sure, but he was absolutely not swooning over them like the heroine from some shoujo manga…

“Mikoto-san?” Mayu asked, rubbing his eyes as he sat up. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine!” he squeaked, certain he was about to die from embarrassment any moment now.

“You’ve gone bright red.” Mayu moved closer. “Are you ill?”

“No, no!” Mikoshiba panicked, smiling hurriedly. He had to change the topic, and quickly! “So, err, how was judo?”

“Good.”

Mayu didn’t feel like elaborating.

Mikoshiba began to sweat. “Um…”

“How was your day, Mikoto-san?” Mayu asked.

Mikoshiba relaxed. “Well actually, earlier this morning Kashima…”

***

“I had no idea someone’s face could go that red!” Seo whistled.

Wakamatsu scratched his head. “I think Mayu woke up because of Mikoshiba’s embarrassment.”

Nozaki hummed to himself, thrilled that he had managed to catch the moment on camera. Seo’s plan had been a success!

Chapter Text

Kashima was disappointed with herself.

She’d dedicated the weekend to coming up with ways to help Mikoshiba and Mayu, but it appeared that matchmaking was a lot more difficult than it initially seemed. Any ideas she had come up with had been immediately shot down by Hori-senpai. Personally, she thought that getting Mikoshiba to cross-dress as a princess and perform on stage with Mayu as his prince was an excellent idea, but Hori hadn’t been too keen on that idea. Kashima had hastily assured him that he could play the princess as well, but funnily enough that had made him reject the idea even more.

She scratched her head, planning on asking Chiyo if she wanted to do something after school when she spotted Mayu by the school gates. And – more importantly – Mikoshiba wasn’t with him. Not one to waste an opportunity as precious as this, Kashima ran down the stairs as fast as her legs could carry her. She had no time to spare; any moment now, Hori was sure to drag her to the drama club!

“Mayu!” She waved, grinning. “Remember me? I’m Mikoshiba’s friend!”

Mayu nodded. “Hello.” The younger Nozaki had his hands in his pockets, a nonchalant expression on his face.

Kashima decided to go straight for it. “Are you in love with anyone?”

Mayu’s expression didn’t change. “Yes.”

Oh no. This was not good. Kashima clenched her fists. She had to find out more!

“Are they male or female?”

“Male.”

Crap! That meant Mikoshiba had a chance, but now there was an even greater obstacle to overcome!

“Are they younger or older than you?”

“Older.”

“Do you see them often?”

“Yes.”

“Do you talk to them?”

“Yes.”

“Have you gone on dates?”

“No.”

“Have you kissed him?”

“No.”

Kashima rubbed her chin. This was good: it looked as if their relationship hadn’t progressed very far. Wait a minute…

“Have you confessed to him?”

A pause. “No.”

Kashima grinned in triumph. They weren’t actually dating, it was just a crush! Things would be much easier now!

“Does he go to the same school as you?”

“No.”

Excellent.

“What’s his name?”

“Mikoto-san.”

The world froze.

“What?”

“I am in love with Mikoto-san.”

She blinked. “You mean… our Mikoto-san!?”

Mayu nodded. Was it her, or was he… blushing!?

Kashima was lost for words. “Wha – But – When did – ”

“We’ve been texting each other for weeks now,” Mayu explained.

“You’re Mayumayu!?”

He nodded.

“B-But…” she stammered. “How did you figure out it was Mikoshiba you were texting?”

Mayu blinked. “It was obvious.”

Kashima shrugged. “So… you haven’t confessed to him yet. Why not?”

“Too shy.”

“Yeah, that’s true.” If Mayu were to confess out of the blue, Mikoshiba would probably change his identity and move to another country.

“Do you have any ideas on how to do it?” she asked.

“I could pin him down so he won’t run away.” Mayu smiled to himself, pleased with his plan.

“I don’t think that’s the best way of starting off a relationship…” Kashima laughed nervously.

Mayu frowned. “Then what should I do?”

“Hmm…” Kashima scratched her head. “How about you – ”

“KASHIMA!” yelled a voice. Her spirits lifted and she turned around to the welcome sight of Hori-senpai steaming towards her, an anxious looking Mikoshiba in tow.

She snapped her fingers. “That’s it!”

Hori blinked. “What’s what?”

Kashima smiled radiantly. “Mikoshiba, Mayu. We have some heavy props that need lifting onto the stage, so if it’s not too much of a bother could I ask you to give us a hand?”

“Sure,” said Mayu.

“I guess…” Mikoshiba muttered.

“We don’t – ”

Kashima covered Hori’s mouth and whispered in his ear: “Just play along, okay?”

Hori fell silent, glaring at her distrustfully. Marvellous.

“Come on!” she called, striding off. “We’re going to be late!”

“The props are just in the storage room over there.” Kashima pointed, ushering them inside. Once they were both in she slammed the door shut, locking it and ignoring Mikoshiba’s startled cries.

“What the hell did you do that for!?” Hori cried.

“They need alone time so Mayu can confess,” Kashima explained.

“Come again?”

“Mayu’s in love with Mikoshiba!” She grinned. “He told me himself. He knows it’s Mikoshiba he’s been texting.”

“But… Mikoshiba still doesn’t know it’s Mayu,” Hori guessed. “Right.”

Kashima beamed.

“Still, you can’t lock them in the storage room.”

“Just for a little bit?” she pleaded. “Until rehearsal is over? Please?”

Hori folded his arms. “I guess… just for today, it couldn’t hurt.”

Kashima hugged him. “Yay! Thank you so much, Hori-senpai!”

He growled and she let go, skipping over to the costume rack. The rest of the drama club stood still, alternating from staring at them to staring at the locked storage room and back again.

“Well?” Hori clapped. “Get moving!”

***

He wasn’t panicking, he wasn’t panicking.

Okay, Mikoshiba was panicking.

They were locked in a storage closet, with no idea when they were going to be released. If ever!

Oh God, oh God. Okay. Breathe. Breathe. It’s not like you’re alone. Mayu’s with you.

Mayu… who had curled up against some boxes and was now fast asleep. Great.

He’d enjoyed their talk at their café. A lot. Once they’d got past the initial awkwardness, he’d actually found himself able to open up a lot, and they’d talked for hours without stop, something which he’d previously only been able to do with Mayumayu.

Huh. Mayumayu and Mayu. Their names were kind of similar, weren’t they? What a coincidence!

He tried to wake Mayu up, but the other boy wouldn’t stir. Giving up, Mikoshiba sat down next to him, and got out his phone.

<Mamiko ♡> My friends played a cruel prank on me ｡ﾟ(*´□`)ﾟ｡

Mayu’s phone buzzed. He must have got a text, but he didn’t move a muscle so Mikoshiba ignored him. He waited for a while, playing a simple game on his phone, but Mayumayu didn’t reply.

Mayu was still asleep.

It was a shame. He wouldn’t have minded having another conversation with him.

***

To be honest, Kashima was disappointed with the lack of noise coming from the storage room. After Mikoshiba’s initial cries of distress died out, they had been awfully quiet. Kashima had been expecting a couple of bumps, maybe, or at least a few moans.

Nozaki and Chiyo arrived just as rehearsal ended.

Kashima ran up to them, smiling. “Guess what!? Something incredible happened!”

“What is it!?” Chiyo asked, her eyes wide.

“Mayu’s in love with Mikoshiba!”

Nozaki started. “What?” His face went pale. “How could I miss this…?”

“Are you sure?” Chiyo frowned.

“I talked to him this afternoon, and he said so,” Kashima explained. “He’s Mayumayu, and he knows he’s been talking to Mikoshiba all along.”

“So what did you do?” Chiyo asked.

Hori gestured. “She locked them in the storage room while we were rehearsing.”

Nozaki, who seemed a little depressed at not noticing his own brother’s feelings, suddenly perked up, brandishing his camera.

“You should let them go now,” Hori said.

Kashima sighed. “Fine.”

They went over to the storage room. Kashima inserted the key, the door unlocking with a click. They peered inside. There – in one of the corners – was Mayu, sound asleep. And there – nuzzled against him – Mikoshiba, also sleeping.

The four of them (and the drama club behind them) made a collective aww, and Nozaki’s camera flashed.

Mikoshiba jumped up like a deer caught in headlights, and Kashima could see the imaginary steam rising from his startled face. Mayu mumbled something incoherent, rubbing his eyes. Mikoshiba only turned redder as he took in the crowd of people clustered into the doorway, and then he yelled:

“What the hell!?”

Chapter Text

Considering all that had transpired recently, Mikoshiba was awfully glad that swimming was cancelled because of the weather. He wasn’t sure whose idea it had been to go swimming in the first place, but he’d been roped into going anyway. He was lucky they’d chosen an outdoor pool. With the current downpour, all you had to do was step outside to go swimming.

Nozaki had been keen to tell him that Mayu had also been invited swimming.

Recently, Mayu had been occupying his thoughts a lot more than he should have. For some reason, whenever Mayumayu texted him, he imagined Mayu’s deep voice reading out her words, and he had got the two of them mixed up a couple of times.

What was happening!?

Did he… was he actually beginning to like Mayu? As in that way?

Maybe he was just confusing Nozaki’s brother with Mayumayu. Yes, that was all it was. He’d never met her in person, so Mayu just managed to worm his way into Mikoshiba’s daydreams a lot more often. Like now, for instance. He could see a tall, dark figure standing outside of his house, staring right at him, the rain soaking through his skin. It was kind of terrifying, actually… oh wait. No, that was actually Mayu and Mayu was standing outside his house in the pouring rain!

Mikoshiba scrambled to the door to let him in.

“Mayu, what – why were you – how did…” Mikoshiba stammered.

“I got caught in the rain,” he replied, a puddle beginning to form at his feet.

“Yes, I can see that,” Mikoshiba replied dryly. “Why did you come to my place, though?”

“It was closest.”

Mikoshiba rolled his eyes. Of course.

“Well come on in, then,” he invited. “You can dry yourself off, and I’m sure I can find some of my clothes that’ll fit you.”

Mayu nodded, slipping off his shoes. He trudged across the room, leaving a trail of water in his wake.

“Where are your parents?” he asked.

“At work,” Mikoshiba replied.

Saki strutted downstairs, drawn by all of the commotion. His cat took one look at the drenched Mayu and hissed, running back upstairs with her hair raised.

Mikoshiba laughed nervously. “She… doesn’t like water.”

Mayu shrugged.

Mikoshiba was setting Mayu’s uniform out to dry and then decided to call Nozaki to tell him Mayu was alright. The phone ringed a couple of times before Nozaki picked it up.

“Mikoshiba, hello!” Nozaki said. “I was just about to call you! You don’t happen to know where Mayu is, by any chance?”

 “He’s here with me, actually,” Mikoshiba explained. “He got caught in the rain.”

“Oh, I see,” Nozaki hummed.

“I can walk him back for you,” he suggested.

“No, no!” Nozaki interrupted quickly. “It’s late, and there’s no school tomorrow, so he can just stay the night at yours.”

Mikoshiba frowned. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, of course! Why wouldn’t I be sure?”

“Um…”

Nozaki coughed. “Well, you two have fun!”

“Wait a minute – ”

Nozaki hung up. That was… strange…

He heard the steps creak as Mayu came down the stairs, freshly showered. Mikoshiba had picked out his baggiest shirt, but it still clung to the athlete’s frame tightly, riding up a bit at the waist.

“Ah… sorry I don’t have anything bigger,” he apologised.

“It’s fine.”

Mikoshiba smiled. “I, um, talked to your brother, and he said you can stay the night here, if you’d… like…”

Mayu nodded.

Mikoshiba felt his heart flutter. He didn’t know why.

Just then they heard the front door open, and Mikoshiba’s mother stepped in, shaking off her umbrella.

“I’m back, Mikoto!” she called, taking off her coat and shoes. “Your father called, and said there was going to be a lot of traffic because of the rain and… oh hello.” His mother blinked, noticing Mayu.

“Mum, this is Mayu,” Mikoshiba introduced. “He got caught in the rain.”

She nodded. “I wondered why he was wearing your clothes.”

Mikoshiba blushed.

Mayu bowed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mikoshiba-san.”

“The pleasure is mine,” his mother smiled. “Will you be staying the night, then?”

Mayu nodded. “If that’s alright with you.”

“Of course it is,” she said. “I’ll make dinner for four, then.”

They’d spent a while playing some old game Mayu had picked out before deciding to go to bed. Unsurprisingly, Mayu went to sleep straight away. Also unsurprisingly, he’d taken the bed, even though Mikoshiba had laid out a futon especially for him.

Sighing, Mikoshiba slipped into the futon. He’d texted Mayumayu earlier, but she hadn’t replied yet. Recently, Mayumayu had been taking longer and longer to respond to him. They still spoke a lot, but the frequency of their conversations was dwindling. Perhaps – had he done something wrong?

Mikoshiba rolled over, troubled. What if he’d insulted her without realising it? What if she didn’t like him anymore, or even worse, what if she found out he was a guy!?

Something dangled in front of him, and he realised it was Mayu’s hand, his arm hanging off the side of the bed. Mikoshiba smiled. They hadn’t talked all that much, but he’d felt more at ease in the other’s presence than he had for a long time. Perhaps one day he might tell Mayu about Mayumayu…

Mayu’s hand moved closer.

Mikoshiba frowned.

His hand slipped lower and lower, and with a start Mikoshiba realised Mayu was falling off the bed!

“Mayu!” he hissed, but the sleeping giant would not wake up. Mayu’s arm touched the futon and his whole body soon followed. Mikoshiba was late in rolling away and managed to get his head and one of his arms free, but the rest of his body was trapped beneath Mayu. He struggled, but the athlete was several times heavier than him and impossible to move.

Mikoshiba poked him. “Mayu.” He poked him again. “Mayu, wake up. You’re squashing me.”

Mayu stirred, yawning, and Mikoshiba breathed a sigh of relief. However, the giant didn’t wake. Instead, Mayu manoeuvred into a more comfortable position, hugging Mikoshiba like a teddy bear.

Mikoshiba struggled. Mayu held him tighter, his burly arms an unbreakable cage. Mikoshiba tried elbowing him, kicking his shins and speaking right in his ear, but Mayu was dead to the world. The other boy smiled in his sleep, nuzzling into the crook of Mikoshiba’s neck.

Mikoshiba was blushing furiously, his heart like a steam train rocketing through his chest.

Oh my God. OhmyGodohmyGodohmyGod.

Mayu was holding him.

Mayu was cuddling him, in bed.

Mikoshiba cursed all the dating simulator games he had ever played, blaming them for every aspect of his overripe imagination. He knew what was supposed to happen next, except this wasn’t a game, this was real life, and it was Mayu, not some two-dimensional schoolgirl.

Oh God. What if… what if nature did it’s… thing, and his body… reacted, like what happens in the morning. Mikoshiba was panicking.

Mayu was attacking every single one of his senses. He could feel his breath tickling his ears; he could smell his scent, swallowing him whole; he could feel the heat from his body, engulfing him…

Mayu.

Oh no.

Suddenly, Mikoshiba just knew:

He was in love with Mayu.

Chapter Text

<Nozaki> Mayu’s sleeping over at Mikoshiba’s.

<Chiyo> Aww, how cute!

<Seo> How naughty! ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

<Wakamatsu> Seo-senpai! (///∇///)

<Seo> What? It could happen…

<Hori> Why was I made a part of this group chat again?

<Kashima> So we can gossip (/^▽^)/

<Nozaki> To share information.

<Chiyo> I think it’s exciting! Ｏ(≧▽≦)Ｏ

<Hori> Fantastic…

<Wakamatsu> I don’t feel comfortable talking about them behind their backs…

<Seo> You get used to it.

<Nozaki> Maybe I could peer in through Mikoshiba’s window…

<Hori> NO

<Wakamatsu> No!

<Chiyo> NO!!!!

<Seo> Sounds like a plan!

<Wakamatsu> Please don’t, Seo-senpai

<Kashima> I could lift you on my shoulders

<Hori> DON’T YOU DARE

<Kashima> Only joking, Hori-senpai!!

<Kashima> Or am I…?!?!?!?!?

Hori left the group

<Kashima> NOOOO! HORI-SENPAIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

<Kashima> COME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kashima left the group

<Chiyo> ●︿●They left.

<Seo> …

<Seo> Hey Waka, guess what I’m wearing right now! ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Wakamatsu left the group

<Chiyo> Why is everyone leaving!?

<Seo> Eh. It’s no fun without Waka to tease

Seo left the group

<Chiyo> Well then.

<Chiyo> Nozaki.

<Chiyo> Looks like it’s just the two of us.

<Nozaki> …

<Nozaki> Fancy wearing a sailor outfit for me?

Chiyo left the group

Chapter Text

Mayu woke up lazily.

He was feeling content, but that was probably because he’d slept for the past ten hours.

Oh?

There was something in his arms. He gave it a sniff. It smelled nice. He opened his eyes, and was met by a mass of red hair.

Huh.

Somehow, in his sleep he’d managed to end up cuddling Mikoto-san. Thank you, subconscious. No wonder he’d slept well. He wondered how Mikoto-san would react when he woke up. He’d probably try to run away. Mayu was contemplating whether to let Mikoto-san run away or to keep him hostage when his cat, Saki, came padding in. She took in the sight before her and hissed jealously. Mayu scowled. Mikoto-san was his! Saki would just have to learn to share. The cat walked around them and sat on the bed.

Well actually, Mikoto-san wasn’t his just yet, but he would be. Soon. Hopefully, at least. He had to have noticed all the hints Mayu had been dropping. Then again, Mayu wasn’t particularly skilled at dropping hints. Hmm…

He could ask Kashima for help. But then, after she’d locked them both in a storage room he doubted many of her suggestions would be of much use. Who else was there who could help him…? Of course! His brother was an expert in affairs of the heart, after all. He’d speak to him right after he left Mikoto-san’s house, then.

Mikoto-san stirred, and his eyes blinked open sleepily. He turned his head a little, and met Mayu’s eyes.

“Hi,” he said.

“Good morning,” Mayu said.

Then Mikoto-san realised the position they were in and squealed. “I need to go to the bathroom!”

Mayu let him go. Mikoto-san ran out of the room. Saki jumped onto Mayu’s face, then ran after him. Mayu could still feel Mikoto-san’s warmth lingering on the futon next to him.

He smiled.

***

Miyako nodded, furrowing her brows. “I see… so Mayu knows it’s Mikoshiba, but Mikoshiba doesn’t know it’s Mayu, huh?”

“Yes,” Nozaki replied. He had popped over to his neighbour’s house because Miyako had asked for his help with her manga, however, somehow they’d ended up discussing Operation MayuMiko instead.

“You wouldn’t happen to have any ideas, would you?” Nozaki asked.

“Hmm…” Miyako pondered. “I could ask them to pose for me…”

“Okay…”

“Naked!” Miyako grinned.

“No,” Nozaki deadpanned. “Mayu’s only fifteen.”

“Oh.” Miyako sounded disappointed. “That would be illegal, yes.”

Nozaki didn’t even want to know what the mangaka had been thinking.

“How about I throw a party and invite everyone?” she suggested.

Nozaki scratched his head. “Well it could work…”

“With drinking games!”

He blinked. “We’re all underage.”

“Drinking games with tea!”

“… I don’t think that would have quite the same effect…”

Miyako looked into her lap. “But I’m having trouble with an upcoming chapter and I need a reference…”

“Well why didn’t you say so?” Nozaki smiled. “We’ll definitely be able to organise something.”

Miyako nodded. “And make sure to invite Mikoshiba and Mayu. And hang up mistletoe.”

“It’s a little too late for mistletoe…”

***

Mayu knocked on the door, and it was almost immediately opened by Nozaki. His brother looked a tad surprised to see him, but invited him in eagerly.

“Are you hungry?” his brother asked.

Mayu shook his head. They sat down.

“Then how can I help you?” Nozaki rummaged around on his desk. “Did you come to give me a hand with the drawing?”

“No.”

“Then what – ”

“I am in love with Mikoto-san,” Mayu said.

His brother froze. Mayu had rather hoped that wouldn’t happen.

“I know,” said Nozaki.

Mayu blinked. Nozaki looked him in the eye, his expression serious, even hurt.

“What I want to know is why you told Kashima before you told me,” Nozaki explained. “I’m your brother, Mayu. You can trust me with anything!”

Mayu looked down guiltily. “I’m sorry,” he said. He hadn’t meant to worry him so much, it’s just that… well… “I forgot.”

Nozaki stared at him for a couple of seconds. Then he smiled. Eventually, he started laughing. Mayu was very confused.

“You forgot.” His brother grinned. “Of course you did.” He wiped his eye. “I assume you came here to talk about Mikoshiba?”

Mayu nodded. “I… want to confess, but I don’t know how.”

“I see…” Nozaki frowned.

Mayu fervently prayed that his suggestions would be applicable to real life and not just shoujo manga.

“Have you tried just telling him?”

Mayu shook his head. “He’d run away.”

“Then you have to run after him,” his brother said. “If you truly love Mikoshiba, you will run after him.”

“But… what if he doesn’t love me back?”

Nozaki smiled to himself. “I wouldn’t worry about that.”

Mayu felt his whole body relax, letting go of the tension he hadn’t known he’d been holding. He could do this. He would tell Mikoto-san how he felt.

“Listen, I was thinking of organising a party with Miyako, and inviting everyone over,” Nozaki started. “Perhaps you could… use the opportunity?”

Mayu considered this. “Maybe I could…”

***

Mikoshiba laid on his side, the light from his phone screen casting creeping shadows through the dark room. He wasn’t feeling good. His head was pounding and he felt nauseous, iron butterflies clawing at his stomach.

He was in love.

He was in love, not just with Mayumayu but with Mayu as well, and he did not know how to handle it. He’d tried his best to act normal around the other boy that morning, but Mayu would have definitely been able to tell something was off. He’d been panicking, and still felt as if his carefully constructed walls were collapsing, as if Mayu could see – had seen – right to his very core.

He held his breath as he texted.

<Mamiko ♡> Do you think it’s possible to be in love with two people at the same time?

A minute passed. Every heartbeat felt like an ocean wave, breaking on the craggy shore.

<Mayumayu> Yes

He breathed.

<Mayumayu> Why?

<Mayumayu> R u in love with two people?

Oh no. What should he tell her?

<Mamiko ♡> I…

His fingers moved on their own.

<Mamiko ♡> I think so.

Mikoshiba had the horrible feeling he’d just ruined his entire life, and hugged his phone to his chest, tears beginning to form in the corners of his eyes. He was just…

He was just so confused!

What was he supposed to feel!?

His phone vibrated.

<Mayumayu> Oh

<Mayumayu> Just tell him how you feel

Mikoshiba started. Just tell him… Oh yes, Mayumayu still thought he was a girl. But…

Mikoshiba couldn’t tell him. Mayu had somehow ended up becoming one of the most important people in his life, and above everything else, Mikoshiba did not want things to change…

Chapter Text

When he arrived at Nozaki’s apartment, Chiyo was already there. So was Mayu.

“Hello, Mikoto-san,” Mayu greeted.

“Hey, Mayu!” Mikoshiba smiled. His heart fluttered and he felt the heat rising to his face, but he shook them off. He’d spent too much time worrying over Mayu – tonight, Mikoshiba was determined to have a good time.

“Mikorin!” Chiyo waved. “Perfect timing! We need your help with the speaker system; we just can’t seem to connect to it.”

He looked over to where Miyako was trying to fit a plug into her phone socket.

Mikoshiba’s face paled. “No, no, no, that’s the mains plug!” he cried, rushing over and snatching the cable from her hands.

Miyako frowned. “Then how do I connect to the speaker?”

“It’s Bluetooth.”

“Blue what?” Chiyo frowned. “Is that an app?”

Mikoshiba sighed. “Just give it here.”

The oven beeped.

“Mayu, come give me a hand with these trays, would you?” Nozaki called from the kitchen. Mayu nodded.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it!” Chiyo shouted.

She dashed to the door to let them in, and almost immediately the place was filled with the sound of Seo’s voice.

“Woah, would you look at the size of this place!” she whistled. “I can’t believe Nozaki has this all to himself! Doesn’t it get lonely?”

Kashima shook her head. “He always has people over.” She wondered around the rooms suspiciously. “I still haven’t found out what it is you all do here…” Thankfully, Nozaki had the initiative to hide all of his materials beforehand.

Mikoshiba was bravely hiding behind Miyako, but unfortunately, Seo still spotted him.

“Hey, loverboy!” She smirked. “Where’s your other half?”

Mayu emerged from the kitchen, setting down plates of snacks and a couple of drinks.

“Oh, there he is!”

Mikoshiba turned his head just as Mayu looked up. Their eyes met, and Mikoshiba swallowed nervously. Seo elbowed him, wriggling an eyebrow. Luckily for him, it was at that moment that the last guests arrived, and Seo found herself with a much more entertaining target.

“Waka!”

“Good evening, Seo-senpai.” Wakamatsu smiled.

“Hey, did you watch that movie I told you about…”

Mikoshiba breathed a sigh of relief.

“That girl’s really something, isn’t she?” Miyako commented.

“She’s like a force of nature incarnate,” Mikoshiba joked. “I don’t know how Wakamatsu puts up with her.”

Miyako nodded sagely. “Love makes tanuki of us all.”

Mikoshiba frowned, but the mangaka had already drifted away to investigate Kashima and Hori.

Mikoshiba finally managed to find a brief respite in the kitchen, where the promise of washing up had kept most of the partygoers at bay. Well, except for Mayu, that is, but the other boy was on his phone too. Mikoshiba was glad he’d managed to avoid any awkward situations with Mayu, and surprisingly, he had Kashima to thank for that. It seemed as if she felt she had to make up to them for locking them in a storage closet.

<Mamiko ♡> Guess what? I’m at a party! (ﾉ^ヮ^)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧

Mayu’s phone pinged. He smiled.

“Is it a girl?” Mikoshiba teased.

Mayu shook his head. “A boy.”

Mikoshiba blinked. Well then.

Mayu typed out a reply, and Mikoshiba felt the stirrings of jealousy in his gut. He wished he could be the one to make Mayu smile like that.

Mayu sent the message, and Mikoshiba’s phone buzzed. The other boy looked up expectantly.

Mikoshiba frowned, and checked his messages.

<Mayumayu> So am I

Mikoshiba dropped his phone as realisation cut through him.

Oh no.

Mayu met his gaze, and what he saw there confirmed everything. His eyes widened in disbelief, and his mouth hung agape in shock.

Mayu was Mayumayu.

Mikoshiba was out of the door before he knew where his legs had taken him.

***

He was expecting Mikoto-san to run, but even so, the speed at which the redhead had bolted surprised him.

Mayu stepped out of the kitchen.

Everyone was silent, their eyes on him.

Then his brother said: “Go.”

Mayu did.

***

Mikoshiba was no athlete, and he ran out of breath once he turned the third corner. He leant against a lamppost, panting heavily, his eyes closed.

Oh God.

He wasn’t in love with two people, he was in love with one person – a guy. Mayu.

Seo had been right. He was –

“Mikoto-san.”

Mikoshiba sighed, laughing bitterly. Of course it was him.

He opened his eyes. Mayu stood before him.

Mikoshiba struggled to blink back tears. “I’m…” He gulped. “I’m gay.”

Silence.

Mayu stepped forwards.

“I like you.”

Mikoshiba panicked. “I like me too.” Crap. “I mean, I don’t like me too. I mean, I do like me, but I love you and…”

Mayu wrapped his arms around him and Mikoshiba melted into his embrace, burying his face in the crook of Mayu’s neck as he realised what he’d just said, what he’d just admitted, and Oh God, he’s screwed up, things would never be the same Mayu would hate him –

“I love you too.”

Mikoshiba froze. “What?”

Mayu tightened his hold, whispering in Mikoshiba’s ears:

“I love you, Mikoto-san.”

“Oh.”

Mikoshiba just cried.

Mayu hugged him, stroking soothing patterns into his back, and they stood like that for a while, the night breeze drying his tears.

“You smell nice,” Mayu mumbled.

Mikoshiba laughed.

“Come on,” Mayu said, grabbing his hand. “Let’s go back.”

Mikoshiba blushed, smiling shyly.

The door opened and Nozaki’s camera flashed, a huge grin on his and everyone else’s faces. Much to his own surprise, Mikoshiba did not let go of Mayu’s hand as Mayu said:

“I caught him.”