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“I swear, Hina must’ve had like five slices of cake. Mom and dad saw her eat two slices alone. But once the grown-ups went inside, I’m telling you, I saw her sneak three, maybe four, more slices.”
On the other side of the line, Kojiro hears Kaoru’s laughter. It’s airy, but slightly muffled, likely due to the hour of the night it is and Kaoru attempting to not wake his parents. After regaining a sense of composure, Kaoru comments, “Man, Hina was not lying when she said the only thing she wanted for her party was an ice cream cake.”
“Yeah, no kidding.”
“Ugh, I so wish I could’ve been there for my favorite Nanjo’s birthday.”
“Excuse me?” Kojiro scoffs with fake hurt in his voice. “I thought I was your favorite Nanjo?”
“Sec- No, third favorite,” Kaoru amends.
“Third?! Who the hell is above me?”
“Hina, obviously, then your mom. She’s always so sweet and she’s never served me a meal I didn’t like. Wait, but your dad’s also so encouraging when I talk about calligraphy with him. Hmm…maybe fourth favorite then?”
“Why do I put up with you?”
Kojiro hears more laughter from the other end. He then reminds Kaoru, “You know, the fact I introduced you to the rest of my family should at least bump me up one spot?”
“It should, but no…”
Kojiro lets out a huff of his own before asking Kaoru about his weekend. He’d been doing most of the talking since they got on the phone an hour ago. Even though Kaoru asked about Hinata’s birthday party first, Kojiro still wants to give the other boy a chance to share how his trip went.
“Fine, I guess,” Kaoru answers indifferently. “After everything you told me, I definitely wish I could’ve been at Hina’s birthday instead. And how rude of you to not even save me a slice of birthday cake?”
“Sorry, you’ll have to take that up with Hina. I only got one slice while she got-”
“As she should,” Kaoru interrupts. “After all it was her birthday. You could’ve been the thoughtful friend and saved your slice for me.”
“Please, I’m sure all the manju, daifuku, and dango you had in Kyoto were better.”
“Oh don’t get me wrong, they were delicious. But that was just the food. It’s not like I went sightseeing or really had time to explore Kyoto. My parents made me work their booth while they went to presentations and then forced me to attend the dinners for distinguished guests. I mean, they kept talking about this trip as if it was going to be some family vacation, but you know them, Koji, it was all work.”
“I’m sorry, Ru,” Kojiro replies, sincerely. “I know how much you wanted to be here. Hina does too. That’s probably why she’s not mad at you for missing her party.”
“Yeah,” Kaoru mumbles. “That and I promised I’d bring her some omiyagi from Kyoto, just for her.”
“I should’ve known. She’s so easily swayed by food.”
“Hey, don’t say it like you’re not the same way,” Kaoru reminds him. “If you’re nice about it and tell me when I can come over to drop off her bonus present, maybe there’ll be an omiyagi for you too?”
“Whatever.” Kojiro rolls his eyes, even though Kaoru can’t see him. Having known each other for so long though, Kojiro imagines Kaoru can tell he’s doing just that given the silence and tone of his previous response. After a second thought, Kojiro drops any attitude he might’ve had and asks, “Actually, are you free tomorrow? I’m taking Hina to the mall to get her ears pierced, one of my birthday presents for her.”
“Oh? Are the Nanjo siblings working together to do something without mom and dad’s permission?” The thought of joining in on some mischief captures Kaoru’s attention.
“No. Mom and dad finally gave the okay since Hina turned 15. I was just thinking, since you couldn’t make her party, this might be a way to still join in on the birthday festivities?”
Mulling it over, Kaoru hums in agreement. “I don’t think I have anything. I bet my parents will be staying home and working around the house since we got back tonight. Wait…last night? How is it already past 1:30?”
“Cause neither of us knows how to shut up?”
“I might have to agree with you on that one.”
“How about you come over around 10? Then we can head over together?”
“Works for me.” Kaoru yawns. “See you in the morning, Koji.”
“See you in the morning, Ru. Sleep well.”
The only response Kojiro hears is a slight exhale, followed by the faintest snore. Kojiro knows better than to disturb Kaoru when his body falls asleep on its own. So, he hangs up, a small grin on his face knowing his words reached Kaoru moments before sleep overtook him.
🌸 - 🌸 - 🌸 - 🌸 - 🌸
Hinata excitedly pushes open the shop’s door, barely holding it long enough for Kojiro and Kaoru to walk through. While Kojiro told Hinata he’d take her to get her ears pierced, he did not reveal when. And Hinata certainly didn’t think it would be this soon, or with the extra surprise of Kaoru joining them. Both surprises and the special omiyagi Kaoru brought, left Hinata in a cheerier mood than usual.
As Kojiro checks-in for his sister's appointment, she and Kaoru begin browsing through the earring section for pairs Hinata can wear once her piercings heal. When he rejoins them, Kojiro overhears part of their conversation.
“Aww, these red panda earrings are so cute,” Hinata gushes. “Do you think I should get one? After all, they’re my favorite animal.”
“Naturally,” Kaoru replies, with none of his usual attitude present. The one Kojiro experiences on the regular. “Are you thinking more the studs or the dangles? Depending on how soon you want to wear the red pandas after your ears heal, studs may be better. Don’t get me wrong, the dangles are cute too. They may just take more time to get used to. ”
Kojiro smiles at the interaction between his little sister and best friend. Even though Kaoru is often a pain to Kojiro, he’s glad that attitude is only directed towards him and Kaoru is so friendly with Hinata. However, this comes with its downsides, including Kojiro being on the receiving end of their combined teasing.
“Since when were you so knowledgeable about earrings?” Kojiro asks Kaoru as he approaches him. The latter shrugs in response. “And back to his usual self once I’m here,” Kojiro mentally comments.
“Are they ready?” Hinata asks.
“Almost. There’s an appointment right now, but then it’ll be your turn.”
A smile breaks across Hinata's face at this update. She’s been ready since Kojiro broke the news she'd be getting her ears pierced that morning, and now she’s only a few moments away. However, Hinata’s smile slowly falls when the trio hears a yelp, followed by crying. The group turns to the current client, who’s in the process of having her ears pierced. With tears streaking down her face, they watch as an employee tries to calm the girl in the chair, alongside her mother.
“Clearly someone wasn’t ready,” Kaoru snorts.
Kojiro elbows his friend, earning a quiet “ow” from him, and then motions towards Hinata. They both notice how her anticipation slowly seems to shift to nervousness. With her gaze trained on the other girl, Hinata seems to close in on herself and bites her bottom lip. Trying to ease Hinata’s nerves, Kaoru adds, “I know you are though, Hina. You’ve been asking your parents for years to pierce your ears. You got this.”
“Mmm,” Hinata hums back.
Kaoru exchanges a glance with Kojiro, who steps up beside Hinata. He tries comforting her next. “Look, Hina, she looks way younger than you. Maybe she doesn’t like needles. We don’t know why she’s crying, but I know you. And you’re not gonna let this phase you, right, Hina?”
“Yeah, right,” Hinata agrees. She turns to face Kojiro and Kaoru. Letting out an exhale, Hinata appears to regain some of her confidence. “I got this.”
At this statement, Kojiro and Kaoru cheer her on. While the crying persists in the background, the group tries to keep Hinata’s mind distracted as they wait for her turn by resuming their browse through the earrings. Hinata shows Kojiro the pairs she picked out and Kojiro offers a couple of suggestions, which are met with firm “No’s” and “Absolutely not’s.”
Finally, an employee approaches the group. “Hinata Nanjo, right?”
“That’s me,” Hinata answers. She smiles, but it appears more polite rather than enthusiastic like before.
“Perfect. We’re almost ready. Just take a seat in that chair over there and I’ll be with you in a moment.”
“You’re gonna stay with me?” Hinata asks, after the employee walks away.
“Of course,” Kaoru affirms.
“We’ll be right beside you. Now, c’mon. Let’s go,” Kojiro playfully says as he waves his arm to follow him.
Once Hinata situates herself in the chair, Kojiro grabs the sample board that is on display next to the piercing equipment. While looking at the starter earring options, he asks, “So, what did you decide on? Diamonds, pearls, hoops?”
“Huh?” Hinata mindlessly mumbles.
Noticing how tense Hinata is again, Kojiro tries rephrasing his question. He decides to use a gentle tone rather than a teasing one. “I was wondering if you decided on what starter earrings you’re going to get? Can’t wear all the fun earrings right away, right? You gotta have something in the meanwhile, while your ears heal…”
In a half-hushed tone, Kojiro leans towards Kaoru, “Am I asking that right? I don’t know how piercings work.”
He keeps his voice loud enough for Hinata to hear. And while Kojiro’s question was genuine, he might’ve played it up a bit to try and make Hinata laugh. After all, Kojiro will do anything to cheer his sister up.
Catching onto Kojiro’s tone, Kaoru smirks as he fires back, “Yes, dimwit. Have some faith in your sister and your best friend. We looked at those first before moving to, what you referred to as, the fun earrings.”
“Jeez, sorry,” Kojiro mumbles, not truly bothered.
“Hina-chan, would you like to tell Kojiro what earrings you’re gonna start with or would you like me to?”
“Diamond studs,” Hinata nods, bringing her attention back to the duo in front of her. “Hoops felt too basic. I knew I wanted a stone and was originally leaning towards emeralds, but thought that might blend in with my hair too much. Kao-kun suggested diamonds since they go with anything. It seems like a good idea to me.”
“And, unlike other gems, diamonds don’t really have a distinct color to them, making them neutral and ready to pair with any outfit,” Kaoru adds.
“Gotcha,” Kojiro nods. “Didn’t realize there was a whole thought process to it.”
“Of course there is,” Kaoru defends. “After all, it’ll be Hina-chan’s first pair of earrings. Isn’t that a big deal?”
Before either Nanjo sibling can reply, the worker comes up with the remaining piercing equipment and chimes in, “It certainly is. Well, realistically it depends on the person and the piercing. But I bet for Hinata it’s a big deal since this will be her first one. For others…not so much. When people come in for their second, third, or even eighth piercing, the novelty can wear off a bit.”
“You can get that many?” Kaoru wonders aloud. From his facial expression, Kojiro can tell his friend’s interest has been piqued.
“Well, sure,” the worker answers as she begins preparing the piercing gun. “We recommend only getting one or two at a time. But, if someone is interested in getting their whole ear done, and then some, we offer consultations about how to handle healing and creating an overall look.”
“No way,” Kaoru exhales.
“Hinata, do you have a preference on which ear you’d like to pierce first?”
“...Not really. Is there a better or less painful side?”
“It’s really your preference. I tend to start on the left side, but truly there should be no difference to starting on your right, if you’d prefer.”
“Okay. I don’t mind starting with my left ear.”
“Perfect,” the worker cheers. “Just turn your head about 45 degrees that way, so I can prep your lobe.”
Nodding her head, Hinata attempts to give a reassuring smile to Kojiro and Kaoru as she repositions herself. Hinata’s movements falter when her gaze locks onto the piercing gun. While keeping her head to the side, she grips the handles of the chair and lets out a shaky, “That looks really sharp.”
“Hmmm? Oh…I can’t say the needle’s not sharp, but if it’s any reassurance, the cartilage will make this piercing as painless as possible.”
“Okay,” Hinata sighs.
“Hina, look at me. You got this,” Kojiro attempts to comfort. “We’re at a legit shop. Kaoru and I looked into all sorts of places to take you. We even got mom and dad involved. We settled on this place for a reason. Yeah, the needle might look sharp, but that’s just to make sure everything happens smoothly. Besides, Kaoru and I are right here. We won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I-I just…I don’t know-”
“Hina,” Kaoru cuts in. “Deep breaths. You didn’t decide to pierce your ears on a whim. You’ve been looking into it and how to care for them for years trying to convince your parents. I know it might look a little scary, but you’re more than prepared for this.”
“Should I give you all a minute?” the worker suggests.
“Your call, Hina.”
“Um…yeah, could I have a minute, please?”
“No problem. I’ll give you three some space and check back in a few.”
As the worker walks away, Kojiro and Kaoru move closer to Hinata. Standing side-by-side, they try to shield her from the rest of the store but avoid boxing her in.
“What’s going on, Hina? You were so excited this morning, and honestly, since I told you we’d get your ears pierced.”
“I don’t know,” Hinata slightly curls into herself. “I just don’t feel like I’m ready for it anymore.”
“Is there anything I can do to help”
As Hinata thinks, Kojiro continues, “I don’t wanna push you. If you’re really not feeling it anymore, we can try and push back your appointment.”
“I wanna get my ears pierced. I really do,” Hinata pleads. “And I don’t think pushing it off will help much.”
“What’s going on in your mind then, Hina?” Kaoru tries. “Tell us what you’re thinking.”
“Just…nervous. I really don’t know how else to put it.”
“Would it help if you could hug me while they pierce your ears?” Kojiro throws out.
“Maybe…”
“The positioning might be awkward though,” Kaoru comments. “You’ll likely be in the worker’s way.”
“That’s true. What if I stand to the side and you could grab onto my arm, Hina? If nerves or the pain become too much, you can just hold onto me tighter. Squeeze as much as you need to, I can handle it. How about that?”
“I can try…”
“That’s all I’m asking for,” Kojiro assures before calling the worker back over.
True to his words, Kojiro stands beside Hinata, who tightly hugs her brother’s arm to her chest, as the worker sanitizes the first piercing site. Right as they finish this step, Hinata slowly turns to her brother and Kaoru. Both boys wear a gentle smile in encouragement. Despite this, Hinata’s overcome by nervousness again and quickly asks, “Maybe I do want to wait. Could we come back in a few hours or tomorrow?”
Lowering the piercing gun, the worker shakes her head while wearing a sympathetic look. “I’m afraid not, Hinata. Since it’s the weekend, and the summer season, we’re fully booked. We might have availability later in the week, but someone would have to check.”
“Oh, I understand,” Hinata deflates slightly.
“I know this isn’t necessarily a solution, but I can count down to when I pierce your ear? That way you’ll know when to expect it and some of that uncertainty disappears. Customers who’ve been in a similar position to you, Hinata, have seemed to like this method.”
“What would you count down from?” Hinata questions.
“Up to you. Typically it would be from 3 or 5.”
“Can it be 30?”
“Hina, oh my god,” Kojiro barely manages to stifle his laugh.
“How about 10?” the worker amends.
“15?”
“10,” the worker repeats.
Hinata lets out a sigh. She opens her mouth a few times, but no words come out as she struggles to make her final decision. With their focus on Hinata, the group does not notice Kaoru crossing his arms and squaring his shoulders. In a steady voice, Kaoru breaks the silence and suggests, “Hina, what if I got my ears pierced first?”
All three heads turn towards the pink-haired boy, who continues sharing his thought process. “That way I could tell you what it’s like. And it won’t be like one of those generic articles you read since it’d be from the same store, with the same person.”
“What?” Hinata simply replies in disbelief.
“Yeah, what,” Kojiro echoes, leveling his best friend with a look that can only be interpreted as “Are you crazy?”
“You’d really do that for me?” Hinata ventures, ignoring her brother.
“Of course,” Kaoru answers easily. “I know how much this means to you and…I may or may not have been debating the idea of piercing my ears too.”
“Kaoru, wait,” Kojiro shouts. “Just hold on a minute. Are you seriously volunteering to pierce your ears for Hina? You know that’s kinda a permanent choice?”
“Of course I know, idiot. And if I don’t like them, I just wait for them to close on their own. Who do you think I am? You think I’m doing this on a whim?”
“Well, n-no,” Kojiro sputters. “But, what about your parents? There’s no way they’re gonna be okay with this.”
“That’s for me to deal with,” Kaoru cooly replies. “If I play my cards right, there’s a chance they won’t even notice since they aren’t exactly known for being…present. I can handle them, Kojiro.”
“Okay, well…wha-what about an appointment?” Kojiro stalls. “We only have an appointment for Hinata. If you insist on getting your ears pierced too, there may not be enough time for both of you.”
“Did you forget I was there when you booked it? I know these appointments are for an hour-long slot. The actual time it takes to pierce your ear, hell, even prep it, is not going to take that full hour for one person.”
“I-I’m just not sure this is the right choice.”
“You may think that, but I’ve already made up my mind,” Kaoru announces with an air of finality, daring Kojiro to try and stop him.
Running out of options, Kojiro throws a pleading look to the worker who’s found themselves in the middle of the duo’s back and forth. “Technically…the appointment was just made under Hinata’s name-”
“-See!” Kojiro interjects. “See, guess your plan won’t work out? It was a good idea, and a very thoughtful gesture? But guess we’ll have to move on to Plan B.”
“And what is Plan B, Kojiro? You get your ears pierced?” Kaoru snarls. In an as calm and collected voice as he can manage, Kaoru turns to the worker and continues, “Please, I will cover the cost of my piercing. I can sign the waivers and whatever afterwards to get things moving, or I can read them really quickly now. I’ve researched how to take care of piercings while they heal and the risks that come with it. I’m not going into this blind.”
All eyes are now trained on the poor worker, seemingly in the role of mediator between Kojiro and Kaoru. “Well, given that there’s still around 40 minutes left for your appointment…I don’t see why we can’t pierce your ears first if we move quickly. But, I am having you sign all the documents first, store policy.”
Letting out a sigh of relief, Kaoru thanks the worker as she runs back to gather the necessary materials.
“I cannot believe you,” Kojiro breaths out.
“What?” Kaoru asks, finally sounding a little uncertain, as if wondering if he crossed a line. “If it helps Hina, and it’s something I’ve been wanting to do, why not? Are you seriously that against it?”
“No,” Kojiro assures. “I just…can’t believe the lengths you’ll go to for my sister, but not your best friend.”
Kaoru attempts one of his usual smirks, but it morphs into a small smile. “Remember who my favorite Nanjo is. That should be all the clues you need,” he teases back.
“There’s no doubt in my mind now,” Kojiro chuckles.
“Kaoru, Kaoru,” Hinata calls for the boy’s attention. “Since you’re really getting your ears pierced, which starter are you gonna choose?”
“Hmm, good question. What do you suggest? Wanna match?”
Kaoru moves closer to Hinata, who’s now holding the sample board. As the pair quickly narrows down which earrings Kaoru should get, Kojiro watches the scene in front of him unfold, observing how playful and soft Kaoru can be when spending time with Hinata. “I love him,” Kojiro can’t help thinking. However, it’s this very thought that sends Kojiro’s mind into overdrive instead of staying in the moment.
“I love him? No. No, that-that’s not what I meant. I love how he acts with my sister, or whenever he gets soft…like this? I mean, he’s good and fits right in with my family. Shit, that’s not any better, is it?” Kojiro spirals. “Is that why I was so against him getting his ears pierced? I didn’t want to see him get in trouble and end up hurt because of how his parents might react. Cuz it hurts me too…when I see him down like that. That’s…normal for friends…right? Right? Kojiro, you idiot, you cannot seriously be falling for your best friend.”
Before Kojiro’s train of thought can go much further, the worker returns, handing Kaoru the necessary paperwork. “Alright, let’s get things moving, Hinata and…?”
“Kaoru.”
“Hinata and Kaoru. Perfect. Now, why don’t you take the seat and read through these papers, sign on the dotted line whenever it asks, while I prep your ears?”
“Sounds like a plan to me,” Kaoru agrees as he takes Hinata’s spot in the chair. Hinata wears a smile as she thanks and cheers on Kaoru, making him promise to tell her everything in the quick turnaround they’ll have between Kaoru finishing and Hinata’s turn.
“Also, have you decided on which pair you’d like to start with?" the worker asks.
“Yes,” Kaoru looks up from the papers. “I’d like earring J7, please.”
“Lovely choice. I can tell they’ll look fabulous on you.”
Papers signed and set aside, Kaoru turns his head for his first piercing. Making the final adjustments, the worker checks-in, “Alright, Kaoru, ready for piercing number one?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Kaoru affirms as he exchanges a reassuring smile with the Nanjo siblings. One to reassure Hinata that everything will be okay when it’s her turn, and one to reassure Kojiro that he will be okay when this is all over.
🌸 - 🌸 - 🌸 - 🌸 - 🌸
Upon returning home, Hinata runs straight to the bathroom mirror to look at her reflection. After admiring herself for a few seconds, she runs back out with a huge smile. Heading straight towards Kojiro, Hinata pulls him down into a hug, repeating, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Best birthday present ever!”
Returning the gesture, Kojiro pulls her tighter, “Happy birthday, Hina! Glad you like your present.”
“Like? I love it!”
Kojiro laughs at her refound enthusiasm. “Glad those nerves were just in the moment,” Kojiro thinks to himself. “Can’t say ‘I told you so’ out loud, but I knew once she was on the other side of the piercings, she’d be just fine.”
“And I love your’s too, Kao-kun!” Hinata shares as she pulls out of the hug to face Kaoru.
“Thank you, Hina. I think I love them too,” Kaoru answers, growing a little shy at the end.
Giggling, Hinata grabs Kaoru’s hand and pulls him towards the bathroom so they can both admire their new piercings, with Kojiro chasing after them.
“I know I chose the diamond studs, and I really like them, but maybe I should’ve gone with garnets like you?”
“You can always get a pair in the future,” Kaoru reminds her. “Besides, diamonds are timeless and work with almost anything.”
“That’s true…” Hinata concedes. Any additional response is dropped upon hearing the front door opening and closing again.
At the sign of the Nanjo parents returning home, Hinata ducks out to greet them and show off her new jewelry. From the bathroom, Kojiro and Kaoru can overhear Hinata recounting the day’s events to her parents, and with their attention fully on their daughter, Kojiro and Kaoru take this as their cue to head upstairs to the former’s room.
Kojiro plops down on his bed, angling himself to watch Kaoru as he approaches the standing mirror in Kojiro’s bedroom. The pink-haired boy tucks a few, loose strands of hair behind his ear, leaning in to admire his new piercing and mimicking the younger Nanjo’s behavior. He wears an expression of awe as he takes in his new look.
“I seriously can’t believe you went through with it?” Kojiro finally breaks the silence.
“What? You don’t think they look good?” Kaoru teases back, throwing a playful glance over his shoulder.
Kojiro feels his cheeks heat up slightly and hopes Kaoru turned his head back to the mirror before catching Kojiro’s reaction. “I didn’t say that,” Kojiro musters.
“Oh?”
A calm, if not slightly awkward, silence settles over the two boys, each admiring what, or who, is in front of him.
“Can I ask you something, Kaoru?” Kojiro ventures.
“Sure,” Kaoru says simply. He turns away from the mirror and settles beside Kojiro on his bed.
“So, you seemed to know what you were talking about with Hina, at the shop earlier. All the terminology and types and stuff for earrings and piercings. And you really didn’t hesitate once you decided to pierce your ears for Hina’s sake…I was just wondering…how long have you been thinking about this? I didn’t even know you were considering it and…I don’t know…I thought we told each other these things?”
Kaoru hums in thought. His head tilts from side to side as he tries to remember. “Since January I think?”
Kojiro balks at this answer, considering it’s the middle of August. Lost in thought, Kaoru elaborates, “I remember flipping through Skate Fun, and seeing shots from their black and gold shoot. I think it was supposed to be a New Year’s theme or something. But there was this one model, dressed in black, and he had a bunch of chains and studs. And I don’t know, it just caught my eye. Might be a look I want to try one day. What really stood out to me though was a set of cuffs…or…small hoops that he was wearing. That image has been stuck in my head ever since. And maybe, I don’t always want to be seen as a nerd, so I started looking into piercing my ears. Is that weird, Kojiro?”
Without realizing, Kojiro lifts his hand to tuck Kaoru’s hair behind his other ear, revealing two sparkling gems now adorning the latter's ears. Kaoru barely manages to suppress a gasp at the other’s closeness.
“I don’t think it’s weird at all,” Kojiro assures in a gentle voice. “I think you’d look amazing in some cuffs, once your ears heal though.”
Kaoru is unsure how to respond and handle Kojiro’s sincerity in this moment. He’s used to their teasing, their bickering. It’s the insults the duo throws back and forth to each other that reveals how much they truly care for the other. The honesty in Kojiro’s voice and response is not something Kaoru is familiar with, nor fully knows how to handle.
“Can I ask a follow-up question?”
“Yes?”
“If hoops caught your eyes, why didn’t you get those as your starters? Why…rubies?”
Unsure if Kojiro is purposefully trying to rile him or not, Kaoru rolls his eyes in faux annoyance before correcting the other, “They’re not rubies, they’re garnets. And I have my reasons.”
“Like?” Kojiro prods.
“Let’s just say garnets have a long history of symbolism in different civilizations. A lot of cultures wore them for protection or prosperity. I also read that their natural shapes can sometimes resemble a human heart. I’m sure your muscle brain can figure out the symbolism of that one.”
“Ey, the nerd’s back,” Kojiro teases, overlooking the other’s last jab. Kaoru, in turn, glares at Kojiro.
“Whatever,” Kaoru says as he rolls his eyes. “Make fun of me all you want, I like the fact that they can have a deeper meaning, even if these aren’t real garnets.”
“If you say so,” Kojiro hums.
Kaoru takes a moment to pull back his hair. In tying it up, Kaoru allows his new piercings to be out in the open. “I also chose garnets because I thought they might blend in with my hair, just enough. Or, stay hidden when I have my hair down,” he offers as a follow-up. “But when I tie it up, like this, it’ll stand-out without being too flashy…hopefully.”
“I think I understand what you’re going for,” Kojiro answers, honesty present in his voice again. “Thank you again for doing that for Hina. You really didn’t have to. I owe you big time.”
“Of course. Though we might consider this one a draw.”
Kojiro tilts his head, wearing a confused look. As Kaoru looks down at Kojiro, who is still laying across his bed, he makes eye contact with the warm red eyes that belong to his best friend. It’s those same eyes that Kaoru finds himself searching for whenever he needs a bit of comfort after a hectic class or test or simply, a bad day. He knows he can never admit it out loud, but Kaoru also chose the deeper tones of the garnet studs, as opposed to rubies, Kojiro’s birthstone, because the gem’s hue reminds Kaoru so much of his best friend’s eye color. Though at this point, Kaoru’s unsure if he truly sees Kojiro as only a friend.
Clearing these thoughts, Kaoru explains, “Like I said, I’ve been thinking about getting my ears pierced for some time now. Wasn’t really sure where or how. I even looked into an at home, self-piercing kit. It just kinda…worked out in the end, for both Hina and me. And if my parents really start interrogating me, I can fall back on doing it for the Nanjos. Surprisingly, I learned they don’t get as mad about things when I say it’s for you guys.”
“So I’m getting thrown under the bus? Great.”
“You’re welcome. Hey, do you think you’d come with me if I get another piercing? I’m thinking of a second one on my ear or maybe a nose ring? No, wait, what about my lip?”
“Oh my god, what have I started? One piercing isn’t enough for you?”
“Nope.”
As they exchange a few laughs, they hear Hinata calling their names and for them to come into the kitchen.
“Guess it’s time for the big reveal,” Kaoru sighs.
“Please, like Hina didn’t yap about you getting your ears pierced when she told mom and dad about today,” Kojiro reasons as pushes himself up.
“True, but we haven’t seen their reaction yet.”
“Have you met my parents? They’re gonna be fine with it. If they make a fuss, it’s gonna be because they like it, not because they hate it.”
Kojiro opens the door and lets Kaoru go first. Walking past Kojiro, Kaoru confidently states, “You’re right. Your parents love me. Now, how do I look?”
“Perfect.”
Kojiro scolds himself for allowing that thought to escape his mouth. However, the slightly stunned look Kaoru directs at Kojiro, paired with the blush blooming across his cheeks, makes Kojiro feel his slip-up was worth it. Not allowing Kaoru a chance to respond or even fully process his response, Kojiro tugs Kaoru’s arm and guides them downstairs.
Once the pair enters the kitchen, Kaoru’s met with cheers from the Nanjos as he shows off his new piercings. If Kaoru had any doubts or insecurity about how others would react to his pierced ears, they disappear when faced with the unabashed love and support of his second family.