Chapter Text
During summer break, Nakamura and Hirose texted non-stop.
Hirose would constantly send him memes that would get a chuckle or two out of Nakamura, while Nakamura sent him photos of Icchan once he realized that Hirose actually liked receiving them. Hirose tended to be the one to initiate the hang outs, but Nakamura slowly gained the confidence to ask first. When summer break was over, and they began their second year of school, their friendship continued to grow, and they became closer and closer. It was more than what Nakamura had ever expected, and his feelings for Hirose never disappeared.
If anything, over the course of their second trimester, their bond grew stronger with each passing day. He loved Hirose Aiki for who he was, and it was no longer a startling realization, but a soft and sweet acceptance. Whether it meant that they would remain friends forever or, at some point, they no longer saw each other, Nakamura would always continue to love him.
When winter break came around, Hirose invited him to ice skate. It was awkward, with Nakamura too rigid to actually skate, and Hirose too busy laughing at him. Eventually, they both agreed that it was getting too cold, and they walked around the plaza where Christmas lights hung, illuminating everything in rose gold and cherry red. Soft music played in the background, and as they continued to walk, Nakamura didn’t realize that they were gravitating towards each other until a hand brushed against his.
He instantly apologized, his face a dark red, and an immediate thought of, “I hope he doesn’t think I’m disgusting!” came to mind.
Instead, Hirose pointedly looked away, a blush on his face, and mumbled, “I don’t mind.”
In a bold move, Nakamura had grabbed his hand. It was a bit sweaty but small, and it was perfect.
Hirose had squeezed it, and for the remainder of the night, their faces were red, but their hands remained intertwined.
From there, everything seemed to move so quickly, but Nakamura remembered every single detail.
Their texting now involved heart and winky emojis—from Hirose of course. Nakamura would roll around in his bed for minutes before responding with his own heart emojis.
Hirose called him whenever he had the chance and talked about shows that Nakamura began to watch only to understand what he was talking about.
They hung out even more—if that was even possible—and they would always end up holding hands without addressing it.
Eventually, Nakamura was the first to make a move, and he had finally asked Hirose on a date.
And then another date.
And another.
And another. Finally—
A kiss.
Soft, shy, and a bit awkward, but it happened!!!
Now they were starting their third and final year of high school, and they were boyfriends.
What a life!!!!
Nakamura Okuto, you have come far!!!
“Hey, are you even listening to me??”
Nakamura quickly bowed. “I’m so sorry!!”
Hirose laughed and squeezed his hand. That’s right!! They were walking to school while holding hands.
Has Nakamura’s bad luck finally gone away??
“Don’t worry about it!” His boyfriend grinned at him.
He grabbed his chest and bit his lip to stop himself from shouting how much he loved him.
“I was just asking if you think we’ll be in the same class.”
“Oh.” Nakamura gazed at the ground. He would like for them to be together, and considering the past school years, and by some miracle they have been, but this year… “I would like to.” He turned to Hirose and smiled.
He pouted, his cheeks turning a rosy color, and punched his arm with his free hand. “No fair!” he whined. “Why do you have to look at me like that?”
“Like what?”
“You know!” Hirose sputtered and gestured to Nakamura’s face.
He gingerly touched his cheek. Did he have something on his face? He rubbed his lips, thinking that he had leftover bread crumbs or even strawberry jelly, when he felt Hirose poking his cheek.
“Silly, I meant your smile,” whispered Hirose, and he was so close, leaning into his space, and looking up at him. Right. Nakamura had shot up in height while Hirose only grew an inch or two.
Then he fully processed the compliment.
He squeaked and tried to cover his face but forgot that his boyfriend was holding one of his hands. He ended up pressing the back of Hirose’s hand against his hot face.
His boyfriend laughed even more and squeezed his hand.
“Hirose!!!”
They stopped at a cross-road and turned.
Takeuchi, with Mukai close behind, was waving at them.
“Hey!” Hirose waved in return, and Nakamura jerked his hand away from him.
His boyfriend made a confused noise, but Nakamura looked away, his fists clenched on his sides.
None of their friends from school knew that they were a couple. It wasn’t that they meant to keep it a secret. They were simply too caught up with each other to really consider sharing the news with anyone else—including their parents.
Hirose meeting his family…His mom and dad approving, maybe even Kana would like him, and afterwards…m-marriage…?
“How was your winter break?”
Nakamura flinched. He didn’t realize that Takeuchi and Mukai finally caught up to them.
Hirose didn’t answer immediately. Instead, his gaze was on Nakamura. He tried to keep eye contact, but Nakamura could clearly see the disappointment and flash of hurt in his beautiful brown doe-like eyes.
After a beat, Hirose turned to his friends, and smiled. “Good!”
Nakamura knew he was forcing it, and he was the cause for it.
As they all walked to school, Nakamura hung a few paces behind with his head hung low. There was a reason why he pulled away!!! He was embarrassed…not for being with Hirose!! If anything, he wanted to show the world that Hirose Aiki was taken, and he was his.
But it meant that people would know that Nakamura Okuto, the weirdo and loner, was boyfriends with Hirose Aiki who was popular and well-liked, and nothing like him.
He couldn’t tarnish his reputation…
Suddenly, a warm hand grabbed his, and the grip was strong like iron. Nakamura whipped his head to see Hirose beside him, holding onto him like an anchor, and making sure that Nakamura stayed grounded.
“Okuto is my boyfriend!”
He raised their interlocked hands in the air as if he was showing the world a grand prize he had proudly won.
Nakamura immediately gauged Takeuchi and Mukai’s reaction.
Mukai looked between them then smirked. He turned to Takeuchi and stuck out his hand. “Pay up.”
Takeuchi groaned and dug in his bag before handing a grinning Mukai a few yen. “I can’t believe I lost!! I was really hoping for the last-day-of-school-love-confession!!”
“What?!?” Nakamura and Hirose yelled at the same time.
“Dude, did you think we didn’t notice the way you were glued to his side?” Mukai was counting the money. “Hey, you’re missing 100 yen.”
“I didn’t think they were going to be together!! I gave you my lunch money!!”
“Hold on,” said Hirose. “I don’t get it.”
“Did you really not notice how obvious you were?” Takeuchi rolled his eyes then crossed his arms over his chest. He glanced at Nakamura. “You too. It was disgustingly sweet.”
“Almost like PDA but…not?” Mukai pocketed the money. “Bring the rest of it tomorrow.”
Takeuchi waved his hand. “Yeah, yeah.”
“So…” Everyone turned to Nakamura who whispered, “It’s not…weird?”
Hirose squeezed his hand. “No. If anything…” He quickly turned to his friends, and Nakamura finally noticed the blush on his cheeks that was slowly spreading down his neck. “What did you mean that I was obvious?!”
And just like that, they resumed their walk.
Hirose was still holding his hand, and Nakamura continued staring at where they were connected.
His boyfriend’s grip was still tight, and Nakamura couldn’t help but smile, before squeezing his hand.
Nakamura Okuto was an ordinary 17 year old high school boy. And…
He was shy, gay, and madly in love with his boyfriend, Hirose Aiki.