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A flash of white pierces the eyes of the boy as he steps out of his front door. Covering his eyes with his hands, he sighs.
The sun is bright.
He steps out into the street, narrowly dodging an older man on a bicycle zooming by. He sighs again and starts his path to school. The place that meshes the emotional comfort and nerves. The place that serves as a haven for him.
As he walks along the pavement, he notices a small figure on the opposite side of the street. A small black and white creature pawing the air, seemingly trying catch a butterfly. Then as suddenly as he fixes his attention to the creature, it's eyes snap to him. Startled by the interlopers' gaze, it quickly scurries away under a car along the road, out of sight.
"A cat, huh. No reason to be so scared of me. Shame. "
He turns head back to his route when a face flashes his thoughts. He stops just as abruptly. The face of a boy he's only recently become familiar with, friendly even. A pale face with young features that have yet to grow into strong manly ones. A face that hold a set of eyes and eyelashes separated by different colors and hues. Even clearer now, the face comes into his thoughts as he takes a moment to ponder the details.
Haruka Sakura.
The name echoes in his head as he remembers those details of the boy's very distinct physical traits. Black and white split tufts of hair atop matching opposite eyebrows. A pair of eyes that can't be called matching because of one being a dark blue and the other a gold yellow. Marbled eyes that make his long lashes and hair stand out even more than they already do. All these polar features settle into the face of Haruka Sakura, the boy who has become a recent foe turned friend of Sakae Momijikawa.
Sakae shakes head wishing he didn't have to constantly think of the boy. It's that damn cat. Looked just like him. He sighs once again, and continues his route begrudgingly.
The elusive boy didn't even realize he doesn't have to think of Haruka Sakura. He does so anyways, unrelenting to his internal denial.
Sakae finally makes his destination, sparing only but a few minutes before the tardy bell rang though the school's building. He clicks his tongue, annoyed at himself for stopping too long on the way here. That damn cat.
"Momijikawa! Good morning! "
Sakae turns from his desk and is met with his classmates greeting him. They always do, despite his stoic attitude in manner of being friendlier than just classmates. He slightly bows and greets them politely.
"Good morning."
They all look at him with a look that shadows their friendly faces only for a moment. Just a moment. That had been happening ever since he came back to classes, and since the funeral. He notices and mentally sighs.
He takes a small breath, forces a small smiles, and says, "I made just in time, didn't?"
The group relaxes ever so slightly at his attempt of being cordial. Then comes the playful tone of nagging.
"Yeah! What happened? "
"Did you sleep in? Such a kiddie thing to do dude!"
"If you're gonna be late, at least be late and bring some bread to share with us!"
He turns back to his desk and settles in. He takes a beat to reply.
"No sleeping. No bread. And I wasn't late. I just saw a cat on my way here. The thing didn't even let me look at it before running away from me. "
A taller boy of the bunch stands upright and asks,
"What kinda cat was it? Where did you see it? My sister loves them and if I can manage to rescue another one, I can earn some extra allowance!"
Sakae just shakes his head while chuckling. He recalls the short meeting with black and white creature. He realizes that he actually didn't like the idea of someone swooping into to "save" and "rescue" a somewhat normal looking cat. Much less so being the cat he encountered was directly hanging around his neighborhood. What if the cat came around again and was more open to humans like Sakae himself? What if the cat lets him get close? What if the cat continues to stay in the neighborhood? What if they even let him pet them?
The bells ring the halls. The class disperse into their seats to begin another normal school day.
He disregards any more thoughts of cats and similar creatures of the sort. But something was sitting in Sakae's stomach. That today was not gonna be another normal school day. He had something to look forward to later.
After half the day has passed, it was time for the lunch hour. Everyone, first years and all the above, always looked forward to the hour. It always meant taking a break from the less-than-rigid academic agenda to goof off and gorge themselves on snacks. Sakae always made his own lunch and was extra careful to pack just enough for himself. (Ingredients were not a cost to waste.)
However, today was a little different for his lunch routine. He looks down to his hands carrying not one, but two, bento lunches. Clenching his hands, he steps out of his own classroom that was too busy buzzing with quiet chatter to notice his departure right away.
He makes his way down the hallways to a classroom that holds loud noise bouncing off the walls into where he stops at the door. He can hear idle chatter and the scraping of desks being positioned. He tightly grips the bento boxes in his hands and takes a deep breath and reaches to slide the door.
As soon as he opens the door, the loud voices cease to a stunting murmur. He looks around the room among unfamiliar faces and somewhat familiar faces staring back at him. Their stares hold a lot of curiosity in the visitor, although, it goes without saying among them why the dark haired boy standing in the doorway was there in the first place. They break their stares to fix on another boy sitting at the far clustered desks. He sits rather casually with two other members of the school. One posture straight with an eyepatch and the other with light yellow hair and big eyes and freckles.
The boy in middle finally notices and the other two stop talking turning towards Sakae. His dark eyes meet duo colored ones widening at the sight of who caught the attention of the class. Sakae can't help but the feel the urge to tease once he sees their face beginning to contort into a charming frown.
"Did you forget we planned to eat together today? Must be nice to be so carefree, Haruka."
At the mention of his name, Sakura flushes red and jumps to stand, bumping the desks and chair loudly. He takes the bait and begins to yell, embarrassed face and shrill voice making an amusing sight to the boy still standing at the door.
"W-why are you still calling me that? You don't have to! And I didn't forget! I was just about to head that way so don't get your panties in a twist! Sheesh!"
Sakae could only chuckle and smile at his success getting a reaction. Sakura still lightly fuming in the corner of the classroom steps out behind the desks. The eyepatch covered brunette, Suo, and the yellow haired one, Nirei, both stand as well. Nirei speaks first, but only to Sakura.
"OH! You're gonna eat lunch with Momijikawa again today? Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
Suo jumps in effortlessly,
"Yes. Why didn't our precious captain mention another planned meeting outside of our normal routine? Could it be he's a tad bit embarrassed since he only eats lunch with us or the Four Kings?"
Sakura immediately bites back,
"I ain't have to tell you every little thing I do! It's just lunch! Not like it's a big fight or anything! "
Suo only continues to politely smile with his hands behind his back, his eye deceiving the onlookers with how subtle the coldness settled into his single eye. Nirei finally glances at Sakae and back to Sakura, uneasiness obvious in the way he steps aside for Sakura to pass by. Stomping around the pair, Sakura makes his way towards the door, stops, and turns his head around like an animal on edge.
"AND I BETTER NOT HEAR NO MORE COMPLAINING FROM ALL OF YOU! IT'S JUST LUNCH, OKAY?!"
The whole class, quiet for a beat, continues its previous social chaos with laughter. Sakae hands the bigger bento to Sakura once he steps close enough in front of him and leans to the side.
"Sorry to borrow your captain, everyone! I promise to bring him back fed and safe. "
"Stop talking to them and let's go!"
Sakura holds the box in his hands tightly and steps around the taller boy to go past the door. Sakae takes a quick final glance at the duo still standing across the room. He didn't miss the way both seem to watching him pretty intensely with a look anyone could recognize as protective. He also didn't miss the note of jealousy in their eyes.
Best to just ignore that for now. He turns back around to meet a black and white creature in the hall, sliding the door close behind him.
Sakae starts walking with Sakura in tandem as they make their way to one of the far stairwells, away from the intrusive noise of their fellow first years. Neither of them says a word. The sound of the lunch hour hum getting quieter as the footsteps becomes more pronounced.
While walking along, Sakae takes a glance at the smaller boy. He is reminded of the black and white cat from this morning. Nearly identical. Half head of hair is white split from half black, including the eyelashes and eyebrows. The very marvel at this rare physical comparison is enough to make him smile and continue staring at the boy. Sakura does not notice his companions gaze. Instead, he takes a brief moment to glance up a the taller one, only to find they are already staring back at him.
At this, Sakura immediately looks away as a pink flush rises to his cheeks. He's too embarrassed to say anything, let alone begin yelling. He didn't want to acknowledge that he'd been caught so he kept quiet. Color flushes at his round cheeks while a pout forms on a furrowed face.
The dark haired boy obviously saw this reaction and bites the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing or saying a snarky remark. He almost pushes away a thought but doesn't.
That was cute.
Sakae does a mental stop but his feet keeps moving. What did he just think? Did he just call Haruka Sakura cute? Was his reaction cute?
Was he cute?
Before he could continue this rapid questioning to himself, they both made their stop for lunch. Atop a far stairwell that was hardly used since it was too far from the restrooms and any other classroom.
Without neither saying a word. Sakae makes the first move to sit down. He lowers his body on the bigger step and begins to arrange his lunch and his legs to begin the meal. He notices no movement from the other and looks up with a concerned look. Sakura was still standing, switching steps and fidgeting with the bento in his hands, seemingly waiting for something. Is he still not used to one on one lunch dates?
Sakae once again startles himself with that thought but takes pity on the poor nervous boy instead and says,
"You know you can sit however and whenever. It's just lunch, remember? Plus I know you're hungry so let's not waste time and eat."
"I was just about to!"
With that, he finally moves to sit abruptly and doesn't waste any time opening the bento lid and grabs the chopsticks to begin eating. He pauses just as he's about to grab a bite and looks to the other boy looking at him, and quickly puts his hand together in awkward prayer but the words that come out are timidly sincere.
"Th-thanks for the food! And…yeah!"
Without waiting another beat, Sakura attempts another bite and begins stuffing his cheeks until they are full. His chewing is a bit loud but he doesn't care (or doesn't notice). Sakae watches this in awe and matches pace in quick thanks for the food, and begins eating himself. Although, he doesn't stop his eyes from watching this hungry animal wolfing down a simple meal in enjoyment.
"That was good! I can't believe I got to eat another good lunch! "
Sakura had already finished his lunch and put his empty bento to the middle between the two boys. He takes a lazy breath, satisfied with his full stomach. He looks at Sakae, who just finished his meal too and sets his own container to side of his body away from the middle of them. He looks at Sakura with a playful sheen in his eyes.
"I guess we got to keep having lunch together if you want to keep eating good. Cheap bread only tastes good for so long, you know. What do you think, Haruka? "
Again at the mention of his name, another small flush rises to the boy's face. Sputtering,
"I'm just hungry is all! You don't have to keep making me food if you don't wanna! I-I don't mind eating cheap bread anyways!"
I could get used to this.
Sakae let's out a small laugh and takes a mental note to keep making as many lunches as can. As long as he can keep hanging with this black and white creature, he won't feel as alone. Being by their side is leaving a mark on him. Every tease, playful remark, and bashful reaction is more than enough to diminish the feeling of loneliness and bitterness. So if bento box lunches make that happen, so be it. What is he to do except give in to this adorable guy?
He stops laughing. Adorable? Cute? Why does his brain keep jumping and blurting out these strange adjectives? Why won't he stop thinking about this boy at all?
Especially about this boy who used to be his least favorite person at Bofurin? Now ranking towards the top of the list. Strange it is.
Sakura noticed his laugh stopping. He takes a hard look and was waiting for something to be said. After a few moments in silence as they were lost in their thoughts, he couldn't take it anymore and blurts out,
"Why'd you stop laughing?"
Sakae is taken out of his pondering and doesn't waste time replying,
"I was just thinking about you."
At this impromptu confession, Sakae is now the one who shuts his mouth and feels heat rise to his ears. He looks away in embarrassment and doesn't say another word in fear he may have ruined a pleasant meal with his friend. He doesn't notice his friend's even brighter and hotter blush covering his whole face.
"What the hell! What do you mean th-thinking of M-ME?!"
"I… I just mean- I was- I didn't mean anything weird by-"
"Then why did you go and say THAT? What is there to think about! Nothing!"
Closing his eyes, Sakae takes a deep breath, mentally counts to 3, and opens his eyes. Still looking away, he answers again,
"I just mean I was thinking about you. I mean, you're right here next to me. Of course I'm gonna think about you! We're sitting next to other. It's nothing weird. Just forget it."
At this lack of proper explanation, a realization hits him. A pang straight to his beating heart. His blood turns cold and his body begins to warm. He is definitely gonna get his ass beat whether by Sakura himself or by two other guys who never seem leave his side if they found out the truth. Now it has hit him, Sakae's hands begin to tremble ever so slightly. The blushing duo doesn't say anything. How could they?
A very quiet murmur is said. What did they say?
"What did you say?"
"…"
"Did you say something? "
"…Yeah."
"What?"
Sakae is practically quivering in anticipation as he waits for the answer.
"I THINK ABOUT YOU TOO! YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE!"
Sakura huffs out his outburst and is most definitely not looking at the dark haired boy for obvious reasons. Leaving both speechless for moment. Then two moments. Then three.
"I DON'T MEAN ANYTHING WIERD BY IT, YOU HEAR?! SAME AS YOU! I-"
"…"
"I think about you too because we eat lunch together. I also think about you when we eat dinner too. "
That last part came out pretty quiet, Sakae almost couldn't make it out. By now, his ears were almost purple at his blush. His avoiding gaze is his only defense against this startling conversation change. He was utterly speechless. Bento box lunches practically forgotten in this mortal realm on a staircase in a school of delinquents and fighters. A gang of strong teenage rascals. An intimate conversation between two boys who have problems galore, but they have friends and support to help guide them now. Perhaps that was why the next words to come of his mouth were pretty romantic, as romantic as teenage boys can muster in shared awkwardness.
"Thank you. I actually can't stop thinking about you, you know. I think about you a lot. In fact, it almost scared me that I do so much."
"I noticed it today actually. But I guess it's been happening a lot. Everytime we hang out or eat together, or when we're not hanging out. You practically jump into my head and that scares me. I have so many things to think about and you're the only one I can see. I don't wanna be weird to you. So if this weirds you out, just get up and leave and we'll forget this conversation ever happened, okay?"
After his long reply, he takes another deep breath and musters up the courage to look to Sakura. No. Haruka. He looks at Haruka and his wonderful eyes.
Their eyes meet each other's. Both are filled with shock. Both are still flushed red. Both are still taking in the meaning of each other's words.
After more moments looking at each other, Sakae takes a mental image at the boy staring back at him. How could he be so ignorant and oblivious? How could he ignore the signs? His own feelings?
He recalls again of the cat from this morning. The cat practically ran away from him at first glance. Unlike the feline, this cat-łike boy did the opposite on their first meeting. The similarities ended at the physical. Haruka Sakura didn't get spooked and hide away at first glance at an unbecoming stranger. He stayed and looked them in the eyes, unwavering, and met them head on. No fear, nothing to lose. Sakae Momijikawa will always remember that.
He will also remember every encounter afterwards. The fight he got himself into and Haruka with his little gang showing up to help him, help him back to his grandmother once last time. The funeral. After the funeral. Their sparring fight. Their first dinner together. He remembers it all.
Even then, he thought the shorter boy was unique in his looks, aside from his bold proclamations and cat- like personality. The split of black and white hair caught his attention. Then the the hair on his eyebrows and eyelashes that matched his head. Then noticed how long and full his lashes were. Then noticed how smooth and prettily pale his face was. And of course, he took noticed of his eyes the most. A pair of mismatched eyes. One dark blue and the other golden yellow. Marbled hues in each that never seemed to soften the look of their pained past. He noticed it all.
Even now, he can't help but think about how pretty this boy's eyes were and how cute he could be without realizing.
I really am an idiot, aren't I?
Haruka, having yet to say a word, finally breaks the silence.
"Well, you know, there's nothing wrong with thinking about someone. I don't really get it but I don't see anything wrong with thinking. So just whatever! Do whatever you want! "
Sakae listens to his words and processes them with careful consideration. His tone was indeed shy and trying to be reassuring, but that alone meant something different to Sakae's heart. That meant Haruka probably didn't feel the same, at least not thinking in the way he was hoping. He can live with that though. As long as he didn't ruin this tentatively blossomed friendship. Besides, he's just realized his own feelings quite literally minutes ago. He was just about gone over for Haruka Sakura. His foe turned friend. His least favorite person to now top favorite. With that internal confirmation, he answers back.
"Yeah! You're right. Nothing wrong with it at all. I'm gonna need you around more often then, Haruka."
At that, Sakura flushes (again) and puts on an unknowingly pout. Clearly embarrassed from his name being used so casually, but also relief that this conversation was nothing to be too worried about. Everything was fine between them.
You're so cute. I wish I could hug you right now.
Sakae thought to himself. But he resisted the urge. He wished he can touch the black and white creature beside him, reach out to him and touch his hair or face. But his hands and fingers just stayed clasped together tightly across this legs. Haruka Sakura was indeed every bit of cute as stark as his hair and eyes were. Very dramatically cute.
Putting his hands to his sides, stretching his legs, and leaning towards his friend. He whispers in his ear.
"You don't play fair, Haruka."
The human cat jumps back at the sudden closeness and covers his ear as he continues to blush.
"DON'T WHIPSER IN MY EAR, YOU IDIOT! THAT TICKLES!"
A smirk forms at the reaction and the taller boy makes his move to stand up with his empty container. Content with how this lunch date ended, he chuckles.
"Hey. Gimme my container or I won't be able to bring you food again tomorrow. "
At that sudden affront, the boy hurriedly throws his empty container into the hands of the quipster. He also stands up and starts stomping away from him, leaving behind an amused individual.
"DON'T FORGET THE FOOD THEN!"
He continues to stomp away to his classroom as the lunch hour bell rings, signaling the end of their official lunch date.
Later that evening, as Sakae Momijikawa is cooking his own and his friend's lunch bento, he has another realization.
I added too many veggies this time.
So in humble compliance for the sake of his newly awakened crush, he moves to keep most of the veggies for himself.