Chapter Text
Peace
It had been a moment since Kou felt that
Though maybe peace wasn't the right word, everything around him was still hectic, but for the first time in a while he was getting a chance to breathe. Dealing with wonder after wonder without a moment to relax sucked, but things were peaceful, for now.
Kou was finally able to hear himself think. A bunch of things ran through his brain, but they all led to two people.
Nene, and Mitsuba.
Nene had less than a year left to live, those words played in his head over and over since he found out. He hated how Hanako could act like he didn't care in that moment after everything they'd all been through, that stupid fake grin on his face as he pretended like nothing was wrong. But he saw how determined he had been to keep her safe in that fake world. It made him realize that for as much as he claimed to know a lot about supernaturals, he still didn't understand how their minds worked in the slightest.
He was doing everything in his power to find a way to save Nene from her fate, the first idea he had was to talk to Tsuchigomori but that went nowhere. Then he ended up searching through all the old family journals he had at home, none of them had anything about how to save a person from death.
This all was frustrating him, Nene didn't deserve this, why her? A girl with such a kind heart, destined to not be able to live a full life. She should have the right to find new hobbies, make friends, even find love.
Love. That was another thing Kou thought about often. Teru had warned him that being an exorcist meant that he shouldn't let things like love distract him, but Kou wasn't exactly living up to the standards of a normal exorcist so why should he follow a warning like that?
His friends, Yoko and Satou, would always tease him about it. They told him he needed to find someone so that they could go on double dates all the time. He used to just laugh it off, then of course Yoko would say that there had to be someone that Kou had his eyes on.
When he met Nene his brain would go to her when Yoko said that, despite her insecurity about her looks he always found her pretty. She just had such a charm to her, she'd light up the room the moment she stepped in.
But he could see clear as day that she had feelings for Hanako, even if she wouldn't admit it. At first he felt jealous, especially when Hanako and him hadn't really become friends yet.
But now? He had just kinda learned to move on, he didn't have a chance so why bother stressing about it.
So then was there anyone in his life he thought about as much as Nene? The person that infected his brain every time he asked himself that question was Mitsuba.
He couldn't stop thinking about him ever since he had spent that day following the ghost boy around, watching him take photo after photo. The regret he felt when he realized he had forgotten him just like everyone else had, but that had made him determined to make up for it, to be his friend. And then he had to watch as he was taken away, his soul ripped out by that stupid brat.
And then to see him again in the Hell of Mirrors, god he thought he had lost him forever. He was so happy, until he realized that Mitsuba didn't remember him. The Mitsuba he knew was gone, replaced with a perfect replica. He didn't know how to feel about that, though Mitsuba had said it best in the fake world.
He cared about the old Mitsuba, he'd always see him, think of him when looking at the new one. Kou knew he was right, deep down he'd always be thinking of the friend he failed, but he couldn't give two shits if the Mitsuba now was fake or not. He still cared about him and wanted to help him achieve his wish even if it seemed impossible!
Seeing him so happy in that painting, even if everything was fake, it was bittersweet. He had fun, he couldn't deny that. The way Mitsuba had walked out of the nurses office after the science experiment incident with a lollipop in hand, playfully waving it in Kou's face and gloating. Sure it pissed Kou off how annoying he was acting, but now that moment was oddly endearing.
Or when they were cleaning the pool and Kou made a genuine mistake of turning the hose on with it pointed in Mitsuba's direction. The pout on his face was priceless and a fight ensued with them pointing hoses at each other, laughing without a care in the world.
He noticed the little details, like how Mitsuba would snort if he was laughing too hard, how even when he was insulting Kou about his earring for the millionth time he had this smile on his face that was both smug and sweet.
When Kou had helped him up after he tripped he noticed how Mitsuba had held onto his hand for longer than he should've, how he had this soft look in his eye that only lasted for a moment. The way the rest of the world didn't matter to him when Mitsuba was there, like nothing could outshine him and-
"Aghhh dammit!! "
He said
Out loud, in the middle of math class when everyone was silently working on their assignments. All eyes were on him, Yoko and Satou both had concerned expressions for their friend. Kou covered his mouth embarrassed. He looked up at his teacher as she scolded him.
"Minamoto, do not cause a disturbance."
"Yes ma'am! Sorry! "
The teen spoke fast, looking down at his work that he hadn't even touched.
"Dude you good? The assignment isn't that hard"
Satou whispered and Kou scoffed "shut up" he mumbled under his breath as he fidgeted with his pencil. He couldn't believe he hadn't put two and two together before.
But sitting here in class with a chance to actually think he realized one thing.
He was in love with Mitsuba.