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"If looks could kill," Kiryuu's voice was light as he spoke, playful as he bumped his shoulder against Suo's, knocking his mind back into the present, "You're making me almost feel pity for Endo."
Endo. Even hearing his name left a bitter taste in Suo's mouth, and he didn't have the energy to hide the look on his face, his nose wrinkling up in distaste. He understands that he and Sakura have some type of… friendship, so to speak; it had been a hard pill for everyone to swallow, Sakura included. It still made most of them uncomfortable. Kiryuu chuckled, and though it was clear he was entertained by Suo's glares, he also was not entirely comfortable with Endo being present.
"Believe me, Suo-kun," He sighed, leaning his head to rest on Suo's shoulder, making his weight heavy on purpose, "We'd all rather he be anywhere else but here. But Sakura-chan at least somewhat trusts him. Plus, he was helpful a while back, so I guess we can't really kick him out entirely."
Suo huffed at the remark, not offering a verbal response as he continued to watch the pair. They were well into their third year at this point, Sakura having taken over as leader at the school, taking the torch passed down from Umemiya, to Kaji (much to his annoyance), and now to Sakura. Due to Sakura's leadership and personality, if you asked Suo, they had made some weird, almost-alliance with Noroishi. It came down to Endo's obsession, because that's what it was, with Sakura. Said boy was currently fighting off Endo, as the older man had been draped on his back, ruffling his hair and cooing in his ears. Sakura's face was beet-red, and he looked seconds away from blowing a fuse.
"How did he even know we'd be here?" Nirei grumbled from somewhere to Suo's left, and Suo glanced over to him, seeing the blonde glaring at Endo as well, a far more fierce look on his face than what he would have been able to accomplish.
"Unfortunately for us, Endo's abilities to hunt people down are nothing to sneeze at," This was the first response anyone's been able to drag from Suo, and his tone was cool, nothing short of icy as he spoke, "He probably knew about our dinner plans as long as we did."
"He's so freaky," Kiryuu mumbled, head still leaning against Suo's shoulder, tapping away at his phone with a sigh, "Poor Sakura-chan."
Their almost-wrestling was getting louder, and Suo was grateful that they had opted to sit outside to eat; they were the only patrons outside on the patio today. Sakura had just returned from the restroom when Endo arrived, nearly jumping him in excitement. Sakura finally managed to free himself from Endo's hold, stomping back over to the table, his cheeks red and his eyes wild. Said eyes were locked on Suo, holding eye contact as he drew closer. Suo couldn't help but widen his eye, wondering just what had Sakura looking this tense. He took his seat next to Suo, sitting down roughly. Endo walked back over, a pout on his lips as Sakura continued to glare at him.
"I told you I'm not interested in you!" Ah, that had been the topic of their conversation. Suo couldn't help the rush of jealousy from coursing through his veins, the ugly green-eyed monster rearing its head in Suo's mind. "Why can't you just go back to Takiishi and leave us alone?"
Endo took a seat from a nearby table, pulling it up and scooting as close to Sakura as he could, "Takiishi knows of my interest in you," A sleezy smile grew on his face, and the blush on his cheeks was far less endearing than Sakura's, "Besides, I have two hands, don't I?"
Sakura barely batted an eye at Endo's suggestive tone, evidence of his growth in the romance area, but Suo noted the redness in the tips of his ears. Despite the disgust he feels being so near Endo, he couldn't help but think that Sakura's blushing was one of the most endearing sights he's ever seen.
"I don't care how many hands you have," Sakura sneered, leaning slightly, pressing his arm against Suo's, glare still stuck on Endo, "I'm not interested. I'm also not single," Suo felt his pulse jump, and it was only years and years and years of training that helped him school his expression. The others, however, weren't as capable, showing various surprised expressions. Sakura continued, not noticing any of it, "Suo and I are dating."
It felt like a bomb had gone off inside of Suo's skull, all of his thoughts being desimated and destroyed, leaving nothing but ash and a faint ringing in his ears. It was second nature for him to smile, small and faint as Sakura delivered the news. Endo's smirk had faded, something akin to disgust taking over his expression as his eyes flickered to Suo.
"Eyepatch kid? Really?" He looked back at Sakura, gaze almost pleading, "Sakura, I'm a far better fighter than he is. You've seen that— you've fought me. You're dating him?"
"I've almost fought him, and I had more fun fightin' him than I have with anyone else." Sakura's tone was firm, like he was stating facts, like he hadn't just flatlined Suo, who felt as if he were recovering from an electric shock next to him, "I also don't appreciate you insulting my boyfriend. Keep it up, and the next time we fight will be serious, and I'll kick your ass so bad Takiishi's beatin's will feel like love taps."
Despite his tone being icy and the threat leaving no wiggle room, Endo still looked enamored. But instead of continuing to argue, he sighed, hands up in faux surrender, "Alright, alright. I won't tease your boy toy." He stood, fishing out his wallet and pulling out wads of cash, dropping it on the table, sending a wink Sakura's way, "Let me know if you're ever tired of him."
He walked off, waving over his shoulder as he made his way around the building, no doubt retreating to his motorcycle. With him retreating, Sakura turned back to the table with a sigh, almost melting as the tension drained from his body. He scratched the back of his neck, eyeing the cash on the table.
"I didn't invite him," He said, feeling somewhat guilty. Endo's crashed many hangouts of theirs, always coming by to see— read that as bug— Sakura.
No one responded, and after a beat, Sakura glanced up, worry evident on his face. It was obvious their silence worried him into thinking that they did blame him, which no one did, no one ever would. Everyone, sans Suo, was staring at him, eyes wide and mouths parted. "W-What?"
"You and Suo-san are dating?"
"When did you two start dating?"
"How come you didn't tell us? Secrets among friends aren't virtuous!"
"Who asked who out?"
"Shut up!" Sakura slammed his hands on the table, cheeks on fire at his friends' rapid questions, "Stop askin' all these stupid questions! Who cares who asked who out, huh? What does that matter?"
"We're just curious, Sakura-san!" Nirei was out of his seat, nearly vibrating where he stood, eyes gleaming with excitement as he stared at his friends, "Why didn't you tell us?"
Sakura went quiet at Nirei's question, hands fiddling in his lap as he stared down at them, eyebrows furrowed, "Who cares who knows and who doesn't? I'm not gonna flaunt my relationship. I already get too much attention as is."
His confession, however small it was, had the other three quieting down. Sakura, no matter how many years of affection from his friends and the town passed, still had no idea how to respond to all the positive attention he received. It was fitting for him not to say anything regarding a romantic relationship— at least that's what the others thought and agreed upon. Suo, on the other hand, had yet to say a word, smile still plastered on his face. He felt like his heart was going to beat out of his chest, worried, for a moment, that the others might be able to hear it.
Sakura's statement had the other three calming down, and their attention shifted, allowing other topics of conversation to come up. Suo joined them when necessary, but remained quiet otherwise. Sakura was uncomfortable with Endo, that much was clear. Sakura had rejected Endo, probably multiple times. Endo, with all of his amazing personality traits, was not accepting of said rejection. It made sense for Sakura to tell Endo he had a boyfriend, and it made sense for him to choose Suo as his fake-boyfriend. Tsuge would get either too confused or too excited to properly play along, Nirei would more than likely be too worried about messing up to make it seem natural, and Kiryuu would probably play along so well that Sakura would end up revealing the truth.
Suo was the obvious answer.
Suo's heart was breaking. He had kept his romantic feelings for Sakura quiet, not even confiding in Nirei about his one-sided crush. It always felt so childish of him, silently harboring these feelings as he stood alongside his friend. As fake as it sounded, for Suo, it was nearly love at first sight. Sakura was nothing short of captivating to look at, and as much as he tried to hide it— even now— he was also one of the kindest people Suo has ever met. He was selfless to a worrying degree, and he fought with everything he had. Sometimes, Suo suspected half of their class had a crush on him at one point. Suo's crush was just one that never died out.
"Hey, you good?" Sakura elbowed him, and Suo realized he had once more zoned out, mind elsewhere. They had finished their dinner, using the cash Endo left to pay for their meals, unsure of what to do with the leftover money.
He faintly remembers Kiryuu stating he needed to run to the store to pick some things up to send to his sister, and Nirei had offered to tag along, needing to pick things up for himself. Tsuge had said he needed to head home, stating he had invented a bread recipe using one of his protein shakes that should be ready by now. That left Suo and Sakura to walk home together.
"I'm fine, Sakura-kun," He smiled at his friend— his fake-boyfriend, his three-year-long crush— and ignored the fluttering of butterflies in his stomach.
Sakura huffed, looking as if he didn't believe Suo, but he didn't push his question further. A few more steps in silence, and he spoke up again, "Sorry. I didn't mean to- to blurt it out like that earlier. Endo was just pissin' me off, and he doesn't take no as an answer." He sighed, running a hand through his hair, "I have half-a-mind to text Takiishi to see if he can get Endo to back off. I doubt it, though."
Suo huffed a laugh, eye staring up at the clear night sky, wondering who he had angered to make his life turn out this way. "I understand why you did it, Sakura-kun, please don't apologize. I'm more so worried about you."
"About me?" Sakura paused his steps for a moment, blinking wide-eyed at Suo, "Why would you be worried about me?"
"Well, stating that in front of the others, I doubt it'll remain uh, a secret for much longer. As much as I appreciate our friends, they're not ones who can keep from talking."
He worried that with him pointing this out, Sakura would realize and panic. That Sakura would realize that if everyone learned they were 'dating', fake or not, it would be the topic on everyone's minds for the foreseeable future. It's not as if Sakura had ever shown interest in dating anyone, both in the town and at the school, but Suo still worried it might ruin any future relationships his friend might have. He also wondered if Sakura would be able to handle the questions that they'd be bombarded with.
Sakura, however, just shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets, "I knew they'd talk when I said it, but I don't really care."
Suo swallowed, finding the motion hard, "Still, don't you think we should discuss it?"
"Discuss… what?"
"Assuming Endo's not one to give up, as we both know he isn't, I assume you'd want to continue this for a bit. We have to agree on some sort of story to make sure no one suspects."
"Suspects what?"
For once in many years Suo feels like he's a rope frayed at both ends, stumbling over his feet briefly as Sakura's question caught him off guard. He sounded confused, eyebrows furrowed, nearly touching, as he stared at Suo.
"That we're not actually dating?" His response came out more like a question, and he was startled slightly at the speed at which Sakura stopped walking, and Suo followed suit, turning so the pair were facing each other.
"What- what do you mean?" The streets were empty, and the pair were alone, illuminated by the lamps and shining light onto the bewildered look on Sakura's face.
"What do I mean?"
Sakura took half a step forward, stepping closer to Suo who couldn't bring himself to step back. Sakura looked confused, unsure of himself, and unsure of Suo as well. Suo's hands felt clammy.
"Yes. What do you mean that we're not actually dating?"
"I- Sakura-kun. You told Endo that we're dating—"
"Because we are."
"—to get him to leave you alone." Sakura interrupted him halfway, and the pair stared at each other silently, confused and dumbfounded with each others words. The silence between them seemed to stretch on, neither one looking sure of what to do or say.
Sakura broke the staring contest first, croaking out a confused, "What?"
"Sakura-kun," Suo licked his lips, "What- what makes you think we're dating?"
"Because we are?"
"We are?"
"Yes!" Sakura's impatience had boiled over, the words exploding out of him in frustration now, "Why do you keep repeating what I'm saying?"
"I'm trying to piece it all together, forgive me."
Sakura crossed his arms, grumbling as he glared at Suo, frustration overtaking the confusion on his face, "Why are you so surprised?"
"Sakura-kun," He had to stop himself from rubbing his hands over his face, trying to see if he could rub any sense into his mind as he stared at Sakura, "When did we start dating?"
"First year." Suo blinked at him, waiting for more. "After the Bankoku-Gai fight. When we were all getting patched up."
Suo does recall that night, it was one that was hard to forget. He had felt nothing but apprehension, especially when he and Sakura had been left alone. They had talked, they had fought some as well, but they had spoken. Things between them weren't the same, he hadn't thought they ever would be, but—
"I told you I wanted to stay by your side." Sakura blinked, shrugging as he recounted the story, "And we've been dating ever since."
"Sakura-kun that's- that's not a confession."
His cheeks went red, and the glare on his face looked more like a pout, "What do you mean? Yes it was!"
"And you said we've been dating since then?"
"Yes!"
"What have we done tht shows we're dating?"
"We hang out together all the times, we go out together on d-dates," He stumbled over the word, still feeling flustered as he spoke, "You've spent the night at my place countless times, you've been more comfortable taking your eye patch off around me, you—"
"Stop, stop, okay," Suo cut him off, stepping forward to grab the hand he had begun counting on, feeling like his heart was trying to beat out of his chest. "Okay."
"You- you really didn't know?" The question came out like a whisper, and Suo looked up, seeing the mortification on his face, his eyes wide, "You didn't- and I- oh shit."
He tore his hand away from Suo's, taking a step back. The blush had drained from his face, and in the sidewalk lighting he looked paler than normal. Suo had thought he'd seen every expression on Sakura— he'd seen the man face down enemies that outnumbered them, he'd seen him flustered and embarrassed whenever Tsubaki and Umemiya showed affection in front of them, he'd seen the ease as he grew more and more comfortable around them. He'd never seen the sheer chagrin on him before, the way his eyes widened and there was a sheen of tears over his eyes.
"I- I thought you knew," His voice was small, "I thought you knew but wanted to take it slow 'cause- 'cause everyone at school's just overbearing and too nosey."
"Sakura-kun—"
"But you didn't and I'm a dumbass who- fuck, you probably don't even like me—"
"Sakura-kun—"
"And I've been taking up all your free time 'cause I thought—"
"Haruka!" Suo stepped forward quickly, hands planted on Sakura's shoulders to stop his spiraling, cutting his words off, "Haruka, breath. Look at me, please." Sakura was hesitant, but after a moment, he looked up, meeting Suo's gaze, his eyes shining in a way that made Suo feel like nothing but a jerk.
"You- okay. This is a bit of a mess, that I think we can both agree on," He paused, giving time for Sakura to nod, small and shaky, and Suo took a breath, his next question coming out quietly, "Do you really believe that I don't like you?"
Sakura's expression twisted, uncertainty and bitterness crossing over his features. "I thought we were dating for nearly three years and you didn't even realize I liked you. Nothing about that says anything other than I'm a dumbass."
Suo laughed, breathy and light and feeling nothing short of manic as he looked at Sakura, feeling his head spin and his heart churn. "Sakura Haruka, I've spent the last three years being hopelessly in love with you."
Sakura blinked, whatever selfpitying words that had been ready died on his lips, "What?"
"I fell in love with you our first day of our first year. I thought it was one-sided. I had convinced myself that just being your friend— that being your vice-captain was enough."
The redness was beginning to bloom, a beautiful shade overtaking Sakura's cheeks, "You—"
"I had never said anything because I didn't want to burden you."
"You—"
"I never imagined you thought that we were already dating."
"You asshole! You've been in love with me for three years?"
Suo laughed, his head thrown back, his chest feeling lighter than it had in years, looking back at Sakura with his eye sparkling, "There you are."
"This- this is so embarrassing," Sakura deflated, curling forward, trying to curl in on himself, but was unable to without resting his head on Suo's chest.
"What part?"
"All of it! I thought we've been dating— what did you think those anniversary dinners were?"
Suo blinked, and Sakura glared, clearly annoyed by Suo's confusion, "You're such an asshole."
"I am. But apparently I'm your asshole, so," Suo smiled, tilting his head down to force himself in Sakura's line of sight, "Please take care of me."
"What do you think I've been doing for three years?"
"Oh, right," Suo straightened his back, head tilted as he thought for a moment, "Then please continue taking care of me."
"I was plannin' on it," Sakura's voice was quiet, almost defeated. Suo's heart softened, and he moved his hands down, rubbing down Sakura's biceps, moving to grab his hands, feeling the warmth of his palms against his.
"So. I'm in love with you, you're in love with me—"
"I never said I was in love—"
"—I think now would be a good time to ensure we're on the same page, Haruka," He loved the way Haruka's eyes widened slightly hearing his first name, mouth parting slightly, "Going forward from today—"
"Do you want to be my boyfriend?" Haruka rushed the question out, cutting Suo off as quickly as he was able to, clearly wanting to be the one to ask, "S-Su-Hayato."
Hayato felt a clarity he hadn't felt the entire night, no confusion or uncertainty, smiling softly at the look on Haruka's face, squeezing his hands in his own, "More than anything, Haruka."