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It was a sunny day in Ginza, Tokyo, as the shards of light from the dawning sun peaked its head into the shared bedroom of Tsujinaka Yoshiki and Indou Hikaru. The sound of the bed creaking and rushed footsteps broke the silence of the morning as Hikaru raced for the bathroom to get ready for the day.
"Today is going to be the best day ever!", Hikaru thought, as he snatched his toothbrush and squeezed out any remaining toothpaste available onto the bristles. Hikaru was always the type to get ready quick and early, like a little child, while someone like Yoshiki needed a little more motivation. In a few minutes, Hikaru quickly finished up his morning routine and burst back into the bedroom to work his magic.
"YOSHIKIIIII! Hey, ya comin' or not? It's the pride festival today, don't tell me ya forgot!". Yoshiki, now wide awake from the sudden urgency from Hikaru, groaned and pushed him away lightly, his arm falling to the side of the bed lazily.
"Do you really have to be so energetic? It's like 7 in the morning..."
"Of course! It's our first festival together! Aren't you excited to try all the food? I heard the yakisoba is the best!"
"I guess..." Sighed Yoshiki, as the young man leaned forward on the bed. "I hope you didn't touch the savings again though."
"I really needed that cat toy! Mince meat told me to!"
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After getting dressed and having a small breakfast, the two men were on their way to the pride festival. They waltzed down the dated gray stairway, and out the front of the apartment entrance. The sunshine lit up the concrete steps lightly, as the local residents nearby started their morning. Yoshiki noticed a large beetle on one of the pillars of the building outside, staring at it intensely before being dragged off by Hikaru as they rushed to the train station. While walking through the dense city, the pair began to double check each other's belongings, and make sure they had the 5000 yen they brought with them. Hikaru noticed that Yoshiki was extra spaced out this morning, but he chalked it up to being sleepy.
The train station this morning was just as busy as ever. People rushing to get to work, students heading out for an early school day, and even the occasional tourist dazed by the intricate train system. Yoshiki and Hikaru dodged the endless crowd of people, swiped their train passes, and slid down the stairs to the train stop.
Hikaru shivered like a cartoon character as he entered the cold underground, lit by seemingly infinite lights on the ceiling and filled with the sounds of trains passing by. On the other hand, Yoshiki didn't pay attention to it, he couldn't care to think of anything other than today.
He was nervous, a little scared even. 'What if's' filled his mind as he stepped onto the train with Hikaru. He didn't even look a tad concerned, he could just be himself anywhere, but Yoshiki always had to hide how he was. He felt like a monster individualized in front of everyone, so how could he not have shame going to an event celebrating his difference?
Just then, while sitting down on the train, Hikaru finally spoke up.
"Hey, are you okay?"
"Oh... yeah..."
"C'mon, ya got that look on yer face... What's really going on?"
Yoshiki stayed silent, staring at Hikaru for a moment before sighing and continuing.
"Don't you think this is a bad idea?"
"What!". Hikaru screeched, sitting up in his seat and looking at Yoshiki with a confused expression. "I think this is a great idea, I mean there will be lots of fun games, and snacks too—"
"No! I mean... It's gay."
The silence from both of the boys felt like it ate up the entire atmosphere of the room, as Hikaru realized what this was really about.
"I see... yer still having trouble, with yourself?"
Yoshiki shifted slightly in his seat, breaking his gaze off Hikaru's face.
"You remember how it was, in Kubitachi. Sometimes I feel like I never actually left, like those words and thoughts from everyone in the village still follows me around."
"But Yoshiki, they dont control you."
Hikaru wasnt very familiar on how to help someone like this, especially Yoshiki, but he tried his best. He moved his hand towards Yoshiki's as he inched closer to him, trying to be as comforting as possible.
"It might feel like ya dont belong, or you still have to hide yourself, but yer not that boy anymore. Ya changed, and thats why we came here in the first place. To finally be able to celebrate that part of yourself ya dug away."
Hikaru paused for a second, before smiling wide and finishing his sentence.
"Plus, we both know ya love to spend time with me!"
"Yeah... I guess yer right."
Suddenly, the train halted to a stop, and the pair jumped out of their seats.
"I promise ya won't regret this Yoshiki!"
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As the duo approached the top of the stairs leading out of the Shibuya train station, vibrant music echoed and bright colours danced across the street, touching up the day to day crosswalks and office buildings. "Tokyo Pride 2026" could be read on a nearby sign at the exit, with a big red arrow to signify the location, if you couldn't guess by the occurrences nearby.
As the men got closer to the event, floods of people, food stands, and activities became clear. Hikaru was already excited before, but now he looked like he was going to have a heart attack.
"Ahhh! Yoshiki, I'm pumped!"
"I can tell. Ya can barely stay in one place right now." Yoshiki commented with a small snicker. Hikaru startled in reply and fixed his standing.
"Right! Ahh, ya smell all that food? I'm so hungry!" Hikaru took a dramatic sniff at the air and acted like it was the best thing he'd smelt in all his life.
"Ya don't get hungry." Yoshiki blandly stated as they began walking throughout the festival. Passing people dressed in colorful clothes and bright flags waving in the air. Yoshiki’s gaze caught onto a couple. Two men decked out in flags colored from teal to white to blue, holding hands and kissing.
Yoshiki paused in his tracks, causing Hikaru to stop aswell and look over at the black-haired boy. "Yoshiki? Ya okay?"
Yoshiki took a bit to reply, as if he was just realizing something lifechanging. If two men can freely hold hands without repercussions, then... Maybe it's okay for him to hold Hikaru's hand too.
"Yeah," Yoshiki took a breath to calm himself before taking hold of the monster's hand within his own and smiling softly. "I'm okay. Let's go get somethin' to eat."
Hikaru felt his cheeks flush a bit as he looked at the smile on Yoshiki’s face, before breaking out into his own. "Okay!" he exclaimed as he tightened his grip around Yoshiki’s hand and dragged him off to one of the many foodtrucks.
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The foodtruck they walked up to was decorated in colorful splashes of paint in assortment of the rainbow, and had some typical streamers hanging off the sides. There were a large variety of people hanging around and eating what seemed to be takoyaki with rainbowbow hued toppings on it.
The duo walked up to the truck and a woman with bright purple hair greeted them energetically. Yoshiki reluctantly let go of the grip he had on Hikaru's hand to pull out his wallet.
"Two, please." Yoshiki handed the required amount, which was about 500 yen, and handed one of the containers to Hikaru.
"This looks soo good!! Look, Yoshiki! Rainbow flakes!" Hikaru happily shoved his takoyaki into Yoshiki’s face, who backed up a bit from the folded container to look at the decorations on top properly. It looked to be basic bonito flakes with food coloring added, but it still looked appetizing.
"Yeah. Ya better wait for it to cool down, though." Yoshiki stuck the toothpick into one of his own takoyaki balls and blew on it in hopes to eat it quicker.
"Whaaa?? It ain't gonna burn me! I'll just use my insides. See? Blehhh!" Hikaru stuck out his tongue to show his swirling insides.
"Hey!" Yoshiki panicked and went to cover Hikaru's mouth, who started giggling. "Don't do that outside!"
"Whaat? I'm just havin' fun! No one's gonna see." Hikaru tugged Yoshiki toward a seating area so they could eat their takoyaki underneath the shade. He plopped down on a blue colored bench with a rainbow umbrella sticking out of the middle and prompted for Yoshiki to sit with him.
"Ya shoulda bought drinks!" Hikaru popped another takoyaki ball into his mouh and savored the taste.
"We brought water. No point in spending more yen on some drinks." Yoshiki replied as he stabbed one of his own takoyaki balls and blew on it before taking a cautious bite. "Huh. Not bad."
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As Hikaru dragged Yoshiki throughout the festival, Yoshiki felt himself becoming more relaxed and comfortable. Gaining his courage up to interlock his fingers with Hikaru's.
"Hey, Hikaru?" Yoshiki spoke up quietly as the other hummed while chewing on a white and rainbow-striped boba straw. Hikaru had convinced him to buy some after using his iconic puppy eyes, which had immediately broke Yoshiki’s resolve.
"Thanks fer convincin' me ta come out today." Yoshiki spoke softly with a shy smile. The kind of smile Hikaru would usually only see in the privacy of their apartment. Away from judging eyes.
"Of course!" Hikaru smiled brightly as he let go of the straw to look at Yoshiki. "Happy pride month, Yoshiki."
Yoshiki felt his heart skip a beat and his chest flutter, smiling more in response. "Happy pride month, Hikaru."