Archive of Our Own

At 20 years old, Sasaki Shuumei could only remember going camping twice in his life. 

Once was for a school trip to Tokyo. He had been young, dumb, and deeply uninterested in spending a weekend at Jonanjima Seaside Park just to work on a science project that left him and Ogasawara struggling to list native plants in the park. He didn’t mind nature, but he hated the feeling of scrambling to get answers about specific plant names or their blooming habits. That seemed like too much work to just enjoy nature.

The other time he could barely remember, because he had been very young. Honestly, the majority of his “memories” about the trip came from Satoko recounting the experience. His parents had wanted a break from the bakery, and the tireless job it was raising a toddler and a chatty six year old, so they had decided to take a trip to Shimizu Camp Grounds in the Spring, because it was renowned for the beautiful cherry blossom trees that bloomed there.

“The first morning, when we woke up to make breakfast over the fire, you were so grumpy. You had your little lip all stuck out, and you wouldn’t let go of my hand. You had to go everywhere with me. I think I was your favorite person, Shuu!” She laughed as he stuck his tongue out at her. He always made a fuss when she brought up the fact that they had once been kind to each other - before the hormones and the teen angst had taken over. Even now, at their big ages, it was easier to keep up the facade that he just didn’t care for her company. She would get far too big a head if he admitted to liking her now.

“Then a big gust of wind whipped by, and you were just surrounded by all the pink petals falling. It was like you’d fallen in love with the sight. Your eyes got so big, and you tried your hardest not to blink. You didn’t want to miss a single second. When we came back home you didn’t stop talking about it for weeks after we left. You kept asking mom and dad when we could go back again.” Satoko would recount any time she thought he would listen. 

The most recent time, she had decided to share the story while Miyano was visiting for dinner on the eve of Sasaki’s birthday.

“We had to get him coloring books with sakura trees, and I think he had to get new pink colored pencils like three times before the obsession finally died down. I guess I never asked, but I bet Spring is still his favorite season.” She said, tilting her head to look at him questioningly.

Sasaki made no answer, but the edges of his mouth turned up slightly. Suddenly he was 16 again, pulling a pink petal out of dark, curly hair.

Miyano was enraptured by the story of a small Sasaki mesmerized by the sight of cherry blossoms. He was smiling wistfully, and Sasaki could see him stealing small glances in his direction with a small and thoughtful smile. 

“Did you guys ever get to go back again?” Miyano asked, his head turning back and forth between the Sasaki siblings.

“Uhh, no. I think mom and dad wanted to go again before Shuu started school, but it just never happened. And then the bakery got more and more busy, and he and I were always off to wherever. It just…never happened.” Satoko explained. She pushed her food around on her plate with a sigh. 

“Hey, it’s not your fault, you know. I never felt deprived of experiences, nee-chan. You carry too much guilt that isn’t yours to carry.” Sasaki tried to keep his voice light and teasing, but he could see that she still felt the sting of their parents' years of disinterested distance. “If I had spent all these years having three of you fussing over me, I might have thrown myself off a bridge. So I’m glad it was only you. You’re easier to tune out!”

“Shuu, you rude little jerk!” She exclaimed, smacking him on the arm.

The small smile she gave didn’t escape his notice. He chose not to mention it.

“Shuumei, I know it won’t be Spring, but would you like to go camping over our Summer break? It can be a trip to celebrate your birthday. And graduation. Whatever we want to celebrate! I’ve never been camping, but I love nature and walking, and I’d love a chance to get away before starting college.” Miyano’s face lit up with determination, pulling the attention of both Sasaki siblings back to him. The boy was brandishing his chopsticks in excitement as he shared his plan.  “We can even invite other people along, and make a whole thing of it? I bet Tashiro and Kuresawa would be down, and maybe Ogasawara, Hirano, and Hanzawa? And Eimi-chan and Yuki-chan! Satoko, you and your boyfriend are welcome as well!”

“Are you sure you wouldn’t want to go just the two of us, Myaa-chan?” Sasaki leaned over to whisper in his boyfriend’s ear. He was delighted to watch pink bloom across his cheeks.

“Shuu, not at the dinner table.” Satoko chided when Miyano squeaked. “I’m sorry, Miyano, but Kamakura and I will have to pass on the invite. We actually have plans for Summer Break. You didn’t hear it from me, but I think he’s planning to propose. He asked mom and dad about the trip before he even told me about it!”

“Why would he want to marry you, you bossy prude? Kamakura could do way bet– hey!” Sasaki teased, earning himself another smack. This time Miyano couldn’t hold back a giggle at the spirited sibling interaction. Satoko was so wound up over her brother’s comment that she entirely missed the wink that Sasaki shared with his boyfriend, all but confirming that the girl did indeed have the right idea about her own Summer mystery.

—----

So it was, with an abundance of excitement on Miyano’s part and amused reservation on Sasaki’s, that they made a plan to go camping once Summer Break started.

The excitement in Miyano’s face was almost enough to stave off Sasaki’s grumbling when they had to get to the train station at 5am. He was practically buzzing with energy as he adjusted and readjusted his backpack and duffel bag about half a dozen times as they both waited for their friends to arrive.

Tashiro and Kuresawa arrived first, each fighting off a yawn as they walked toward the platform.

“Yuki thought she’d be able to come, but her doctor suggested that camping and hiking might set her back at this point in her recovery. She’s been doing so well, and we didn’t want to risk it.” Kuresawa explained. He held up his phone to show Miyano an apologetic message from the girl herself, along with a smiling picture of her curled up with a manga and a fluffy cat.

“She also sends her regards by way of lending - here!” Kurasawa pulled a manga from his bag, carefully wrapped in a privacy jacket. “She says it’s a bit of a wild card, not her usual taste or yours. It’s a spooky romance. She thought it might be perfect for reading around a campfire!”

“Tell her thank you! I’m looking forward to something new!” Miyano exclaimed, placing the book safely in his bag alongside at least two other books that Sasaki could see as he watched.

“It’s too early…Why did I agree to come on this trip?” Tashiro groaned, leaning his weight against Miyano obnoxiously. 

“To see Hanzawa?” Miyano whispered conspiratorially. Tashiro’s ears went pink, but he said nothing.

Ogasawara and Yokota arrived next. Sasaki was surprised that they weren’t arguing, though he didn’t know if he should attribute that to the early hour or to Ogasawara’s staunch decision not to argue with her over this particular weekend, since he had a special piece of jewelry burning a hole in his pocket. He had told Sasaki about it the previous weekend, and asked if it was okay if he made the camping trip his moment to propose.

–

“She loves nature stuff like this, dude. And I don’t know if I could get her to go there a separate time without making her suspicious! She’s been reading all these manga about hot hikers and forest fairies lately, and getting lost in the woods. She keeps talking about how romantic it is to sleep under the stars. Please? Ogasawara leaned back, resting against the side of Sasaki’s bed, and he looked happier than Sasaki had seen him in a while. 

It had only been a matter of time. Ogasawara had loved Yokota since middle school. He probably would have gone down on one knee right after their first kiss if they’d been older than 13 at the time. He’d always looked at her like she hung the moon. Like she was the only girl in the entire world worth his time and attention.

 It used to annoy Sasaki how lovey and cutesy they were. Especially since they usually hung out in his room as an excuse to hang out with each other away from the prying eyes of parents and siblings. He didn’t understand how love and fondness could turn his best friend into an idiotic pile of mush.

Now he understood.

“Yeah, of course. Why would I stop you?” Sasaki asked, waving a hand dismissively. It wasn’t that he wasn’t happy for them. He was! He just wasn’t the type to hug and weep over something like a proposal. At least, not someone else's.

“Well…I guess I wanted to make sure I wasn’t stepping on your toes.” Ogasawara said, shooting him a sideways glance. He took a drink of the tea he’d been cradling in his hands. 

“Oh.” Sasaki replied, frowning.

“Oh? That’s all you’ve got for me? Are you telling me that you really haven’t thought about it?” Ogasawara sat forward, a stunned expression casting his eyebrows upward.

“I mean, I have. I just don’t want to rush Myaa-chan into anything. He’s starting college soon. We’re thinking of moving in together. There’s just so much going on, I guess I just don’t want to add another thing on the pile. What if it’s too much?” Sasaki lowered his head to rest on his study table. He could hear Ogasawara’s disbelieving scoff.

“I know you don’t like it when people get in your business, but…” He paused, searching for the right words for a moment. When Sasaki lifted his head, he could see Ogasawara had a serious look on his face. One that could even be mistaken for earnestness.

“You have to know how much Miyano likes you. The fudanshi looks at you like you’re the moon and all the stars. You’ve both got that “forever” look in your eyes. And I don’t see that changing any time soon. So why wait?” He explained at last. He rubbed the back of his neck, and looked off toward the opposite corner of the room.

“Nobody would believe what a romantic you are, buddy!” Sasaki told him, earning a glare from the boy.

“Shut up. I regret saying anything. And I take back asking you if it’s okay. I’m doing it whether you want me to or not!” Ogasawara grumbled.

“When I propose to Myaa-chan…you’ll be the third to know.” Sasaki confided, a smile dancing playfully across his face.

“Third?”

“Yeah, after his parents. Miyano-san would be heartbroken if I didn’t ask her permission first.”

–

Hirano was nearly running late by his usual standards. He arrived with Kagiura in tow with only ten minutes to go until the train pulled into the station. Hanzawa trailed closely behind them, clearly amused by the unexpected entertainment that the couple was providing him. It was clear from the scowl on Hirano’s face that he was very much outside of his time table. Sasaki noticed that roommate-kun at least had the decency to look embarrassed.

“We made it on time, Hirano-san. Please don’t be mad at me. It’s so early, and you know I have trouble getting up to my alarm.” Kagiura pleaded.

“Your alarm. My first phone call. My second phone call. Five text messages, three of which you responded to, and a knock at your door!” Hirano grumbled back at him.

“I am sorry! I have told you before that I could probably text you in my sleep. Now you know I was telling the truth, at least.” Kagiura shot him a smile that could brighten up a room. Hirano returned it with a flat stare and raised eyebrows.

Sometimes Sasaki wondered what the basketball player saw in the grumpy blond. The train arrived before he could dwell on it any further.

—

An hour on the train and two shorter bus rides later, and the group finally found themselves nearing their destination: Otome Forest Camp Ground. They had decided to pool their money together and rent ‘the lodge’, the campground site that could hold up to 15 people. It was a little more than they needed, but they hoped it would give the couples a bit of privacy to have the extra space.

It was still early in the day when they arrived, barely 8am, but Sasaki had to admit it. This was a view worth getting up early for. Mt. Fuji stood as a silent sentinel in the distance, misty and beautiful in the early morning sun. The air was clean and warm, and there was a blanket-like feeling that was begging Sasaki to settle down and take a morning cat nap.

He opened his mouth to suggest as much to Miyano, but snapped it shut again as he watched the boy. His beloved Myaa-chan, always full of energy, was a veritable force of nature at the moment. He was bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet with such vigor that it gave Sasaki the impression of a rather excitable bunny rabbit. His black curls bounced, catching the glare of the sun like it was reaching out to caress him.

“Let’s go put our stuff in the cabin so we can go walking, Shuumei-san! It’s so beautiful out here, don’t you think?” His voice came out in an over-excited rush, and his eyes were so full of wonder, that Sasaki knew he would never deny him anything. 

“Of course. I’d be happy to take you for a walk, my love.”

—

Sasaki had been worried about taking a trip with so many of their friends. He liked them all, of course. He trusted them. Enjoyed their companionship well enough. But, he would have been hard pressed to say he wanted to spend time with the group more than he just wanted time with Miyano to himself.

And after his discussion with Ogasawara, he couldn’t help but think he wanted more than time. He wanted the assurance of a future. He wanted to start thinking about forever.

As they walked, Sasaki took Miyano’s hand. He started to imagine a ring on his finger, just like he had done that day at the amusement park.

What would Miyano like? Gold? Silver? Something more plain, or something beautiful and fancy?

“Shuumei-san, look!” Miyano exclaimed quietly, pulling him out of his reverie. He stopped and pointed excitedly.

“Wha–” His mouth was covered by Miyano’s hand, and the boy’s eyes widened, urging him not to speak. Miyano pointed again, and Sasaki followed the line of his hand. There was a serow on the path before them, the deer-like creature looking fluffy and far too much like a tall goat for Sasaki’s liking. It had spotted them, and was eyeing them warily as it walked across the path.

“It’s so cute!” Miyano whispered, hugging Sasaki’s arm as he tried to keep himself from moving too much and scaring the creature.

“It’s pretty cute. But not as cute as you~!” Sasaki teased. He was rewarded with a scrunched nose, and then a sunshiney smile from his boyfriend. 

“Not as cute as you either, Shuumei-san.” Miyano tells him, and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek. He’s not even disappointed when the serow takes off, clearly disinterested in their little forest flirting.

They follow the trail for another hour or so before it manages to loop back toward their cabin. They took note of branching paths that could carry them further out later in the day, or later in the weekend if they choose. It is all so beautiful and peaceful.

“Tashiro, wait. You didn’t even give me a chance to think!” Hanzawa’s voice carries on the path in front of them. Miyano watches as the boy rushes by, a blur in the green jacket he had been wearing to stave off the chill of the early morning. Hanzawa spots Sasaki and Miyano and stops his pursuit, his face going pink at being discovered.

“What happened?” Miyano asks. His tone shocks Sasaki, because he sounds almost angry.

“Nothing, Miyano. We were just having a friendly chat, and he misunderstood me.” Hanzawa replied cooly. It was a reply that clearly said ‘don’t get in the middle of this’, but Sasaki wondered if Hanzawa forgot who he was dealing with - Miyano was as stubborn as they came at times. 

“Friendly chat, huh? Well, all I will say is this. You two will figure yourselves out or you won’t. But Tashiro is a great person, and he doesn’t deserve to be made to feel otherwise, Hanzawa-senpai. He was really looking forward to spending time with you this weekend. Don’t make me regret inviting you.” Miyano sounded more stern than Sasaki could ever remember him sounding.

“Shuumei-san, I am going to go find Tashiro. I’ll be back soon, okay?” The boy was already turned in the direction his friend ran. Sasaki touched his arm, slowing him down just for a moment.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” He asked.

“No. Tashiro will feel embarrassed if you come with. We’ll be okay, I promise. How about you walk Hanzawa-senpai back to the cabin. I’ll feel better if I know you’re both safe.” He said with a smile. When Sasaki nodded, he took off at a slow jog.

Sasaki frowned as he watched his boyfriend’s retreating back. He turned on Hanzawa with a scowl.

“Don’t give me that look, Sasaki. Not everybody can wear their hearts on their sleeves like you and Kurasawa.” Hanzawa returned his scowl darkly as they made their way back to the cabin.

“Who’s stopping you? Nobody here, that’s for sure. You think anybody here would judge you for being yourself?” Sasaki snaps at him. “That’d be wild, wouldn’t it? So what’s your hang up? Or is it you that we should worry about?” He and Hanzawa have always been at the periphery of friendship with one another. Not as close as he and Hirano are, but closer than he is with Kagiura. But maybe he doesn’t know this mysterious boy well enough. Maybe Hanzawa is more judgemental than Sasaki knew. It would make him sick, since he knows how much Miyano looks up to him.

“I am my own hang up, as you so eloquently put it.” Hanzawa replies with a sigh. All at once the fight has gone out of him, extinguished like a candle in a wind storm. “Of course I don’t judge you and Miyano, or Hirano and his beloved Kagi-kun. I just…”

“Do you not like Tashiro? I’m sure it would be hard for him to get over his crush, but he’d survive.” Sasaki asks, feeling put out at having this conversation. He didn’t like getting involved in other people’s business, if he could help it.

“Hmm.” Hanzawa replies, his face going blank. Sasaki could see the look of someone who had shut himself off from the conversation. He was no stranger to that reaction - he used to do it himself all the time. Still would, if pressed by the wrong person.

“Well, it’s none of my business what relationship you do or do not want. But you should probably talk, or it’s going to be a long trip. And I can’t promise that Myaa-chan will butt out of it. Especially since he and Tashiro are like brothers.” Sasaki muses aloud, his tone light and nearly dismissive as he walks ahead of Hanzawa. “Let’s go see if the others want to start cooking lunch. That way it can be ready when those two come back.”

“Yeah. Okay.” Hanzawa replies quietly, trailing after the taller boy like a ghost. 

—

“I feel so incredibly stupid, Miyano.”

Tashiro had made his way down the trail until he’d reached the fork that would take him further into the forest. Miyano suspected that the boy had only stopped because there was a bench convenient enough to throw himself down upon, since that was how he found the bleach-blond boy. Both of his hands were fisted into his hair, making his elbows reach towards the sky. He didn’t even look up to check who had come after him.

“I’m sorry, Tashiro. Do you want to talk about what happened?” Miyano picked up Tashiro’s legs to sit next to him on the bench, letting the boy drape his legs across his lap so they could be close together.

“No. Yes? I don’t know. I’m not sure there’s much to say. I should have known better. Kids who lived in the dorms talked all the time about thinking Hanzawa was homophobic. I don’t think that, obviously, since he’s friends with you, Sasaki, and Hirano.” He peeks his eyes out from the heels of his hands to look at Miyano, who glances back with a neutral expression that beckons him to ‘go on’. 

“But those rumors probably came from something, right? Why did I have to confess? I should have just kept my mouth shut. It would have been easier to move on if I hadn’t said anything at all” Tashiro took a deep breath in, but it backfired as it hitched in his throat. He sobbed as he breathed out, and Miyano could see tears running down his face and dripping to the ground below. “I’m so stupid.”

“You’re not stupid. And keeping your feelings to yourself wouldn’t have made them any easier to ignore.” Miyano rubbed his friend’s knee, slow soothing circles to distract him from his tears.

“It just would have meant keeping them a secret. But saying them out loud, you’ve given yourself a chance to get the answer you were looking for.” 

“But I won’t get the answer I’m looking for. Miyano, you didn’t see his face. He looked absolutely horrified. Like I’d kicked his dog, or told him I wanted to murder him!” Tashiro’s face contorted in anguish as he recounted, and Miyano could feel anger building in his gut.

“He doesn’t have to like you back, but he certainly shouldn’t treat your confession like it’s something bad!” Miyano told him, pulling Tashiro’s hands down so he could look him in the eyes. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Loving someone isn’t wrong, Tashiro. It’s not stupid, either. Even if he rejects your confession, I’m going to make sure he apologizes for making you feel like it was wrong.”

“No, please!” Tashiro bolted upright, pulling his legs off Miyano’s lap. “Please, don’t say anything to him at all. I’m already mortified, I can’t take it if I have to look him in the eyes while he apologizes and then rejects me. Please- I’ll just deal with my shit. I’ll be perfectly fine by the time we walk back. You won’t even notice I’m feeling anything at all!” His voice was so broken that it made Miyano feel almost violent as the curly-haired boy pulled his friend into a tight hug.

“I won’t say anything if you don’t want me to, but I think you deserve an apology. I’m so sorry, Tashiro.” Miyano whispered as he held the boy close and let him cry. They sat like that for a while, until Tashiro had run out of tears.

By the time they began their walk back, Tashiro was keeping true to his word. Miyano watched as the boy summoned up a version of himself that was like sunshine incarnate - he began to crack jokes and talk about the lame pick-up lines he’d use when he went on his next group date. He pointed out birds and flowers along the trail and gave them silly names that were definitely not scientific, just things he thought they reminded him of. He smiled as he asked Miyano about college, and finding an apartment with Sasaki. He teased the boy until he turned red, about what he would be able to do once he lived with his boyfriend - alone. Tashiro even managed to look like he was enjoying himself again. 

Except for the darkness that fell over his face when he saw Hanzawa, Hirano, and Sasaki at one of the free-to-use grills outside of their cabin. A flash of dismay that disappeared so quickly that Miyano could almost convince himself he had imagined it, if he didn’t know any better.

When they sat down at a picnic table, and everyone gathered for breakfast, the darkness was gone again. Tashiro pointedly sat next to Kuresawa, and turned all his focus on the bespectacled boy. To underline his desire to avoid looking at Hanzawa or even allowing them space to talk, he got Kuresawa into a conversation about his favorite topic: Yuki.

“Oh, well my girlfriend’s recovery has been going incredibly well, actually–”

To nobody’s surprise, Kuresawa was able to fill the entire mealtime with conversation, happy to field questions about her condition, previous hospital stays, newly reworked class schedule, and even their plans for the future.

“I’m thinking of proposing to her this Fall. Her birthday is in October, and I was toying with proposing then or maybe around Halloween, since it’s her favorite holiday. We probably won’t get married until after college, but I want to enjoy being engaged for a while. It will give her the opportunity to plan her ideal wedding, since she’ll have so much time to think about it.” Kuresawa explained. 

Yokota was instantly hooked into the discussion once Kuresawa brought up weddings.

“Do you think you’ll have a large wedding?” She asked, her eyes practically glowing with interest.

“I’m not sure. I have a rather small family, but she has a lot of extended family. We both have a fair number of close friends, though. So it won’t be a tiny wedding, I’m sure. I’m hoping to be able to work during college to save up for whatever she wants, though.” Kuresawa smiles as Yokota squeals in delight.

“That’s so romantic. I think large weddings are lovely. All the beautiful decorations, and being surrounded by a bunch of people who love you and want your love to succeed. It’s just the best thing anybody could ask for. Right, Jirou?” She turns, leaning her head against Ogasawara’s shoulder.

Sasaki almost chokes on his laugh as Ogasawara’s eyes get big and his face goes gooey with the love he has for Yokota. Since she’s leaned back against her boyfriend, she can’t see the absolutely obvious look he is giving her. Miyano looks at Sasaki, then over to Ogasawara and Yokota, and tilts his head almost imperceptibly to ask if he’s reading the situation correctly. Sasaki nods, watching as his boyfriend’s eyes light up in delight, then shift to another emotion that Sasaki cannot read.

The moment is shattered when Tashiro stands up abruptly.

“I’m exhausted! I guess I’m really not cut out for getting up early. I’m going to go take a nap. If I’m not up by dinner, come get me.” He waves as he walks hurriedly toward the cabin, and the snap of the screen door behind him leaves an empty feeling in his wake.

Sasaki doesn’t miss the look that Miyano gives Hanzawa after the door swings shut.

—

Miyano’s curiosity over the horror BL on loan to him doesn’t last until the evening campfire. Instead, he is found lounging upside down on the couch, holding the book up above him, by none other than a curious Kagiura. The tall boy is surprised to see that Sasaki is not nearby, though he wonders briefly if he could be with Hirano, who has also made himself strangely scarce.

“Isn’t it uncomfortable to read like that?” Kagiura is standing right next to Miyano by the time he speaks, and Miyano isn’t sure if the tall boy is just freakishly quiet, or if he was far too engrossed in the atmospheric story to notice. Either way, he jumps and the book tumbles out of his hands and lands in a splat on the wooden floor.

“Kagiura! You snuck up on me! I don’t think a guy your size is supposed to be that quiet, you know!” Miyano struggled to sit himself up as he clutched at his heart.

“I think you were just distracted. I wasn’t particularly quiet.” The boy frowns gently, but stoops to pick up the fallen book and offer it to Miyano as an apology. “I’m guessing you’re enjoying the story?”

“‘Enjoying’ is a strong word. I think I’d say I am appreciating it - the world building is really immersive. The characters are really interesting, and more than a little sad. It’s about a forest spirit who has been trapped and wandering for as long as he can remember, mourning the loss of his lover. He is unable to pass on to the other side, and it makes him feel angry and monstrous to see couples pass through where he haunts.” Miyano explained. He opened the book back to the page where he had dropped it, and pointed to the panels to show Kagiura.

“If I cannot rest in this lifetime or the next with my love, no one else will either. All who love shall perish.” 

 

The spirit was greatly disturbed to find a boy staring at him as he raged in the moonlit clearing.

 

“You’d damn others to live as miserable a life as you?”

 

“Hardly. I’d bless them to move on together, where they can have eternity.” The ghost scoffed.

 

“You’re still here. What if you’re just damning them to share your anger and dissatisfaction? What if you’re just trapping people and separating them from love?”

 

“What could you possibly know about love and loss?”

 

“Nothing, I suppose.”

“Miyano, that’s depressing.” Kagiura said, shaking his head and looking up into the teary brown eyes that watched for his reaction.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. I’m really hoping that they fall in love, but I’m also scared that they will. Because what good will come of it, right? They live in different worlds.” Miyano shook his head, and Kagiura got the distinct feeling that Miyano was no longer really talking to him as he continued. “I have a feeling that I’ve been tricked with a doomed yaoi…” Miyano’s head descended back into his book, and Kagiura chuckled slightly as he left the room to find out where Hirano had wandered off to. 

“Leave! I don’t know why you can see me, and I don’t want you here!” The spirit screams. He unleashes a cold, bitter, whipping wind that pushes against the human boy. He rails and screams until the trees are bending against his rage, and the air is turning to thick mist.

 

And finally, when he feels like all the rage has been pulled from his heart, he finds that the boy is eerily gone. Just popped out of existence. But he can hear him.

 

“Where did you go?” The human boy’s voice floats through the mist like he’s far away.

 

“Nowhere! Where are you?” 

 

“I don’t know. It’s very dark here. And cold.” The voice sounds smaller, or further away. And the spirit tries to follow.

 

Panic grips at his ghostly heart when the voice fades away entirely.

 

“Have I doomed myself to be alone again? Or did I send him somewhere that he can’t come back from?”

Miyano was hooked, though his heart ached as he kept reading. He was sure this was a doomed Yaoi, but he just couldn’t stop. He kept reading and reading until he reached the last page - a cliffhanger where the spirit had managed to find the boy at the edge of a dark abyss. With wicked shadows looming just out of view.

“Kuresawa! Tell Yuki-chan that she’s so mean!” Miyano yelled through the cabin. He puffed his cheeks out when he heard Kuresawa snicker. The bespectacled boy emerged from his room with a ruffled-looking Tashiro in tow. The blond plopped down on the couch next to Miyano as Kuresawa pulled his phone out to text his girlfriend about Miyano’s displeasure.

“Feeling any better, Tashiro?” Miyano asked, setting the book aside to get a better look at his friend.

Puffy-eyed and tired looking, Miyano was sure the boy hadn’t taken the nap he had spoken of earlier. He pulled the corners of his mouth up in the shape of a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes, and he dropped the look without trying to make it very convincing.

“It’s like something is in the air. Ogasawara and Yotoko are being lovey-dovey, and Hirano and Kagiura always have whatever gross flirting they do going on, and even you and Sasaki are so happy and in love. It’s just making it really hard for me, I guess.” Tashiro confessed, staring at his hands. “I’m glad everyone is so happy. It just hurts, you know?”

Miyano nodded, fidgeting slightly. “I can see how that would be really difficult. But we can keep you distracted. Let’s go start dinner, and maybe tell spooky stories around the campfire. We’ll scare ourselves so much that nobody will be thinking lovey thoughts, okay?”

“Doesn’t Sasaki hate scary things?” Tashiro asks, his eyebrows quirked upward in suspicion.

“Hate? Nahh…he’s just got a really active imagination!” Miyano replied, unconvincingly.

“Is it an excuse to cuddle him?” Tashiro poked at the boy, startling a laugh out of him. 

“Maybe! But that would be long after we come back inside, okay?” Miyano yelps as Tashiro continues to poke at him. “Hey, cut that out! Mercy! Mercy, please!” They collapse in a heap as Miyano laughs and laughs against the onslaught of Tashiro’s tickling pokes.

“Hey, let him breathe at least.” Sasaki’s voice cuts through the laughter, and they all look up to see him standing in the doorway. His voice is serious, but Miyano can see a small smirk on his lips. 

“I’m hurt, Sasaki-senpai. I was defending you, since Miyano wanted to tell scary stories around the campfire!” Tashiro whines, though the smile on his face belies any hard feelings about being told off by the taller boy.

“Myaa-chan!” Sasaki gasped and clutched at his chest in mock betrayal. Miyano giggled rather than defend himself against the accusation. It wasn’t long before Sasaki began to laugh as well, followed by the other boys.

—--

The campfire was casting wicked shadows across the faces of all who sat around it. Sasaki had put on a brave face while teasing Miyano about it in the afternoon, but now his confidence was waning. With the dark creeping in on all sides, and the wind making the trees shiver so much that it sounded like they were whispering, Sasaki wasn’t sure if this qualified as fun anymore.

He took refuge in the warmth of Miyano, who was seated at his side. He had his arm thrown around the shoulders of the smaller boy, holding him close. Close enough that they could feel each other’s hearts beating. A comfort to Sasaki, who could appreciate the slow and steady beat of Miyano’s as he crafted a chilling tale about Yamamba, the mountain spirit who consumes human flesh:

“...Unable to overcome his curiosity, the priest failed to heed the old woman’s warning. As soon as she stepped out to gather more firewood, the priest peeped through a crack in the door. To his horror, he discovered the room filled with half-eaten corpses. The priest realized that the old woman was a Yamamba, luring unsuspecting travelers into her home only to shred them to pieces for her next meal. He fled from the hut as fast as he could and never looked back.”

“What happened to the priest after he ran away?” Yotoko asks. Ogasawara looks sick beside her, clearly not a fan of scary stories either, and tries to shush her.

“Nobody heard from him again, so it’s hard to say. It’s likely that she caught him once he became lost in the woods. Dragged him back to her hut, where he joined the other unfortunate souls in the forbidden room…” Miyano kept his voice hushed and conspiring, watching a shiver of horror and thrill run through those who sat around the fire.

“Or not. Who can say?” He spoke louder, making everyone jump as he broke the spell he had cast with his storytelling. Sasaki placed a kiss on Miyano’s shoulder as he tried to chase away the image of the spooky room filled with corpses. He was sure he would dream about it later. 

He hoped Miyano would cuddle him close to chase the bad dreams away. Or maybe they’d tire themselves out so much before bed that he wouldn’t dream at all.

Now that didn’t seem like a bad idea at all.

Sasaki didn’t have time to dwell on his late night plans as Kuresawa took up telling the next spooky tale. The tale of the Yuki-onna:

“A young man in search of his fortune was passing through the snow-covered mountains, when he’s caught in a sudden snowstorm and loses his way. Nearly frozen to death, he almost gives up hope when a strange woman, covered in frost and with a face as pale as snow, appeared before him—a Yuki-onna. Because he was still so young, the Yuki-onna took pity on him, and guided him to a warm cabin in the woods, saving his life. In exchange for his rescue, however, she made him promise never to tell anyone of their meeting.” 

He paused dramatically, and Tashiro and Miyano rolled their eyes at him.

“You just picked this story because the spirit’s name is Yuki!” Miyano accused.

“Maybe I did. Is it so wrong that I miss her?” Kuresawa shot back.

“Just finish the story, Kuresawa. At least it’s not as long as when you spend all of lunch talking about her.” Tashiro joked. Everyone laughed, even Hanzawa who had been carefully trying to avoid the attentions of the blond boy. Tashiro stared at him for a moment before turning back to the story, a frown creasing his face.

“Years later, the young man met and married a charming girl named Yuki, and they lived happily together for many years. But one day, the young man told his wife about how he was once saved by the mysterious Yuki-onna, breaking his promise. As he reveals this tale to his wife, her face grew pale and frost began to cover her body—his wife’s true identity was the Yuki-onna. The promise was broken, and she vanished back into the winter’s night.”

“That one is rather sad, isn’t it?” Hanzawa contributed quietly. “Lost love can be pretty scary, though. So I guess it fits the theme.”

“I couldn’t imagine anything more terrifying than losing my Yuki. Which, since she’s sick so often, has been something I’ve had to make some peace with, you know? I think that’s why this story feels so scary. Because it also feels kind of personal.” Kuresawa nodded sagely.

“That’s depressing, dude.” Ogasawara said, his voice gentle. “But she’s on the mend, right? So you hopefully won’t have to worry about losing her for a really long time.” 

“Yeah. That’s my hope every single day.” Kuresawa admits. “I want to be able to spoil her with love and life for a very long time.”

“Gross! This was supposed to be scary stories, not lovey-dovey talk time.” Hirano complains, earning an elbow in the ribs from Kagiura. The tall boy scrunches his face in a playful scowl, which the blond returns playfully until they are poking and wrestling each other off the wooden bench they had been occupying.

“People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, Hirano.” Yokoto teases, making Hirano push Kagiura hard enough that he topples over, effectively ending their “lovey-dovey” interaction. Kagiura returns to his seat with a severe pout on his face, which Hirano pointedly avoids looking at.

A snapping twig in the distance pulls the group’s focus toward the dark forest in the distance. They all grow quiet and listen to the sounds of the evening forest. 

Another snap of a twig. 

A flapping sound.

A choked chirp.

And a yelp.

“What was that?” Yokoto breaks the silence, pulling Ogasawara closer by the collar of his shirt.

“Uhh, probably just an animal, right? It’s the forest, so an animal makes sense. Like a fox or something? Foxes scream, right?” Miyano explains, though his voice warbles with nerves. He’s not sure, and that makes Sasaki’s body light up with the heat of anxiety. He can feel it rush up his spine and send goosebumps across his arms and legs.

A whistle.

A flutter.

Another broken twig, closer this time.

The wind, ripping through the trees with a scream.

Everyone jumps as Tashiro puts his hands over his ears and screams. Sasaki yelps out his own cry of fear and buries his face into Miyano’s shoulder when his ears flame up with embarrassment.

“Everyone, please calm down. You’re letting some spooky stories make the sounds of the forest into something they are not.” Hanzawa puts his hands up as he stands, and tries to soothe everyone with calm and rational thoughts. Miyano can see the moment this pushes Tashiro over the edge. The boy reaches a hand out to his friend, but his outburst has reached the point of inevitable before Miyano can diffuse it.

“Shut up! Nobody asked you to play Mr. Calm and Rational, you know. Maybe we like letting our imaginations get the better of us. Sometimes it’s fun to just let loose and let things happen, you know!?” Tashiro’s voice raises as he stands and gestures wildly. “You don’t have to always be in control of everything. Sometimes it’s better if you aren’t!” He shoves his finger at Hanzawa’s chest, making him back away and wince.

Tashiro’s eyes widen and he pulls his hands up towards his chest. He looks like a kid who touched a hot stove - scared and more than a little mortified - as Hanzawa stares back at him. He frowns and opens his mouth, but Tashiro turns and takes off before he can say a word.

Right into the forest.

–

There was a very thin line between bravery and stupidity.

Sasaki knew this to be true when he stepped into a fight he had no intention of winning during his second year.

He knew it was true when he professed his love for a boy who had repeatedly turned away all his advances.

And he knows it to be true down to his bones as he follows his beloved boyfriend once again into something that scares the shit out of him. Although this time, he reasons, he might be facing more than the existential threat of humiliation. The woods at night are more dangerous than flying fists or heartbreak.

On second thought, he would take a wild animal attack over having his heart broken by Myaa-chan. That’s not even a question, if he’s honest with himself.

He knows why he’s following Myaa-chan, the both of them huddled around a battery powered lantern and calling out for Tashiro in the dark. What he can’t quite answer is why Hanzawa has followed after them.

“You should have stayed with the others.” Miyano repeats for the third time, his mood obviously soured. “He doesn’t want to see you right now. And you’ve done nothing to improve that, you know.” 

“I know, Miyano. Which is exactly why I should come along. I owe him an apology, don’t you think?” Hanzawa’s voice is neutral, but the word apology stirs something in Miyano that makes him stop and round on the boy with an almost vicious look.

“You sure as hell do owe him an apology!” Miyano grits out, and Sasaki watches as Hanzawa’s eyes widen in fear at the outburst from the normally mild-mannered boy. He stumbles backwards and nearly trips over his own feet as he puts distance between the two of them.

“I’m not going to hit you or something. You don’t need to be scared of me.” Miyano tells him with a huff, and turns back to following the path. “You made him feel like he did something bad…by telling you he liked you. Like it was wrong.” 

“I know. But I really didn’t mean to. His confession caught me off guard, and I panicked. I didn’t know what to say. I still don’t. But I didn’t mean for him to think I was angry, or…that I thought it was bad. How could I?” 

“That’s my question. How could you, Hanzawa?” Miyano’s voice carried a note of finality, and the two of them went silent as the question hung in the evening air.

“Hey, you guys? Do you see that up ahead?” Sasaki grabbed Miyano by the shoulders and angled him to look off to the left of the path. There was a light bobbing in the distance.

“Tashiro didn’t have a lantern with him when he left.” Hanzawa commented, his brows drawn downward in thought.

“He probably has his phone, though. So it could be his phone flashlight.” Miyano replied, his earlier anger at Hanzawa temporarily forgotten. “Tashiro?”

The light continued on in a path that seemed to move further away, even as all three boys called out once again. They looked towards each other, grim faced as they chose to follow it further into the forest.

—

The air was becoming thick with fog. It made the trees feel oppressively close, and Tashiro could hardly see the path beneath his feet. He cursed himself for being so emotional, but he felt like his heart was breaking. He wanted to be okay with the answer being “no” - he had to be okay with it. But he just couldn’t help the feelings of despair welling up inside of him. It felt as inky and heavy as the night all around him.

“It’s okay, little one. It’s okay to be sad. Let it all out. You can cry here.” 

“Who’s there?” Tashiro turned his head left and right, trying to find the source of the voice. It sounded feminine, but not like Ogasawara’s girlfriend. It sounded…older. Like one of the grannies at the hot springs.

“Would you like to cast off your heartbreak, dear? I can take it all away from you. You just have to offer it up to me.”

“Offer it up? What does that mean?” Tashiro asked, then clapped a hand over his mouth. He shouldn’t be talking to forest spirits. At best, he was just losing it because he was emotional. At worst, maybe he was about to sell his soul to a demon! He might be upset at the moment, but he didn’t think being upset was worth wandering the forest as a lost soul for the rest of his days.

A clearing loomed before him. The break in the trees also revealed a break in the cloudy sky above. He could see the light of the moon, shining down to illuminate a grassy haven in the midst of the trees. He stepped out into the moonlight to try and gather his bearings. Looking around, it looked ethereal. Beautiful, even.

“You could leave it here. Leave all the heartache and pain out here in the field, so that you don’t have to carry it back with you.”

At last she was revealed. Tashiro had been right, she was older. She was as grey and shining as the moonlight that filled the clearing. She wore traditional robes, and her long hair was pulled back into a tight braid that cascaded down her back, nearly touching the ground as she walked.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to leave your pain behind?”

“If it were possible, yeah. But it’s not. I know it’s not.” Tashiro told her. He knew he should turn back, but he felt like he was pinned in place by her gaze.

“You could,” she urged and reached out her hands to touch him. He shivered and tried to back away, but his legs wouldn’t obey him. “You just have to give it over to me. I’ll take your pain.”

“Stop. Don’t touch me. I don’t want to give it to you. It’s what makes it real.” He panicked, and began to shut his eyes. Tears streamed down his face as he struggled against whatever held him in place. “Don’t take it away. The fear and anger is what makes it real! If I didn’t feel strongly about loving him, then I wouldn’t love him!” He shouts.

The admission staggers her, and she shimmers in the air for a moment, then disappears.

Tashiro stumbles forward, his knees and hands hitting the ground with a dull thud. The damp grass feels cold against his fingers and where the water seeps into his pants.

His heart still hurts, but he’s thankful for the pain.

“Tashiro?” 

The boy turns to see Hanzawa reaching out a hand towards him.

“Why are you here?” Tashiro asks, wondering if this is just another vision the forest is forcing on him.

“Why wouldn’t I come? You ran off into the night, and it was my fault. I owe you an apology, Tashiro.” Hanzawa reaches out again, more insistent with his offered hand. When Tashiro places his own in it, Hanzawa pulls him up from the ground and swiftly gathers him into a hug.

“You’re trembling…” Tashiro comments.

“You really scared me, you know. The forest can be dangerous at night. Wild animals. Spirits. Steep hills with uneven terrain. Something could have happened to you.” Hanzawa spoke his worries into his hair as he embraced him, and Tashiro couldn’t help but relax into the hug. He might as well enjoy it, like a man eating his final meal on death row.

“Well, you found me. I’m safe. And tired. I just want to go back to the cabin now. Sleep the weekend away until I can leave it all behind me.” Tashiro told him, pulling back at last and stepping away. He didn’t want to play pretend any longer. He wanted to leave it all behind, a memory of foolish bravery.

“Tashiro, I am sorry. But you also surprised me, and then didn’t give me any time to get my feelings into order. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad, but you asked an awful lot in a short amount of time.” Hanzawa grabbed at his hoodie sleeve, urging him to stop. “I know you want an answer now, but I don’t have one. In either direction. Can you please just give me time?”

“You’re not saying no?” Tashiro can feel the tiny flicker in his heart - a candle of hope. It’s not an outright rejection.

“I’m not saying anything right now. You’ve given me a lot to think about.” Hanzawa replies carefully. “Please just come back with me, so I know you’re safe. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you out here. I’d never forgive myself.”

“Miyano would never forgive you either.” Tashiro jokes as Hanzawa moves to walk next to him. His eyes widen as Hanzawa moves his fingers down from his sleeve to interlace with his own. 

“Oh believe me, I know he wouldn’t. I’m already not sure if our friend will forgive me for causing you so much trouble.” Hanzawa mutters, pulling a small chuckle out of Tashiro.

“Miyano never stays mad for long. He doesn’t like the way it feels.” Tashiro tells him as they make their way back to the path. “Where is he, anyway?” 

“He and Sasaki agreed to let me come talk to you when we saw you in the field. If I know Sasaki, they’ve walked on ahead of us to give us some space to talk.” Hanzawa explains, pointing down the path to where he can make out the light of a lantern.

“Ah. Sasaki’s BL blocking him?” 

“Very likely. I’ve seen him do it on Hirano’s behalf a couple times, so it wouldn’t be too out of character. Or maybe he just wants a moment alone with Miyano in the dark.” Hanzawa conspires.

“Yeah, that’s probably true.”

—

“Do you think Tashiro really saw a spirit in the forest?” Sasaki asks as he and Miyano settle into their futon for the night. His boyfriend cuddles close under the blanket as he contemplates the question.

“I think Tashiro saw what he needed to see,” Miyano replies carefully, “ like asking advice from one of the people he spends time with at the hot springs. Tashiro really relies on the wisdom of his elders, even if it’s just to work through his own thoughts.”

“So you think he imagined a ghost obachan just to work through his feelings for Hanzawa?” Sasaki asks, a smile tugging at his lips. Miyano snuggles against his chest for a moment before popping his face up to look Sasaki in the eyes. 

“Yeah, I do. But I don’t really believe in spirits or ghosts, so I guess I might be biased against more supernatural answers.” Miyano says, shrugging his shoulders.

“But Myaa-chan, we saw that light! And Tashiro’s phone was dead.”

“Just because I don’t have an answer, it doesn’t mean the answer is spooky. I’m okay with not knowing everything.” Miyano shrugs again, and Sasaki stares at him with his mouth agape.

“Wow, Myaa-chan. You’re so cool.”

Miyano laughs as he scoots up to capture Sasaki’s lips in a kiss.

“I’m glad you think so, Shuumei. I hope all the spooky stories and unexplained lights in the forest haven’t ruined the trip for you.” Miyano tells him, wrapping him in a tight hug as he speaks. Sasaki loves the buzz he can feel against his chest as Miyano talks. It’s one of his favorite things about spending nights together.

One of several favorite things.

Which reminds him:

“Myaa-chan, you were so hot when you yelled at Hanzawa. I’ve never seen you so angry before, and it was super hot to watch you stick up for your friend.”

Sasaki watched Miyano’s eyes grow wider in the dark, catching the light of the moon from the window.

“What are you saying? That’s just ridiculous.” He sputtered, squirming as Sasaki crushed him in a strong embrace.

“Not ridiculous at all. You were brave and hot, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it all day.” Sasaki practically purrs at him, and he can feel Miyano melting against him.

“Oh…yeah?” He asks nervously.

“Yeah.” Sasaki leans down to capture his lips in another kiss.

Worries about Tashiro aside, the two of them sink into the pleasure of sharing a bed together. They kiss and cuddle and share sweet nothings until sleep overtakes them at last.

—

The sun is shining in through the window of their room by the time Sasaki wakes up the next morning. He is not surprised, though deeply overjoyed to see that his adorable boyfriend is still pillowed upon his chest. The fluff of black hair obscures his face, but Sasaki can hear the little huffs of his sleepy breathing and feel the warmth of each puff against his night shirt.

“Adorable.” He whispered, and moves his head just enough to place a kiss on that curly crown of hair.

“Mmm…good morning Shuumei…did you sleep well?” Miyano’s voice, still sleep drunk and sweet, makes him smile. He hopes they get to wake up like this forever.

“Of course, since I got to sleep with you.” He tells the boy.

“Soon we’ll get to do this all the time. When we find an apartment. Right?” Miyano asks, his voice fading in and out as he fights for wakefulness.

“Yes. Every morning I will get to wake up to this adorable mop of curly hair tickling my nose. And I’ll get to hug and kiss you until you tell me to stop!” To prove his point, he pulled Miyano’s face up by a finger under his chin and began to pepper kisses everywhere he could reach: eyebrows, eyelids, the crest of his nose, the mole under his eye, the pink swell of his cheek.

Miyano scrunched his nose against the affectionate attack and begins to giggle at first, until Sasaki adds poking and pinching fingers to the mix, provoking him into full belly laughs that certainly chase away the sleep.

“Ahh! Stooop tickkk-tickling me!” He cried, trying to grab at Sasaki’s hands to end the torture.

“Okay, okay. I’ll stop. If you give me a good morning kiss!”

“Of course, Shuumei-san. I’ll give you as many as you’d like!” Miyano pulled himself up on his elbows and stared down into his grey eyes, a loving smile spreading warmly across his features before he leaned in for a deep and proper good morning kiss.

Their tongues tangled and danced against one another as the kiss deepened, pulling sighs from each of them as their hands wandered. Sasaki’s hand dipped beneath the hem of Miyano’s shirt, rubbing the soft skin of his back in small circles. Miyano’s fingers ghosted along the skin of Sasaki’s belly, leaving him contracting the muscles against the slight tickle he could feel. They broke apart at last, needing air and space to make sure they didn’t go too far. Their friends were all too close, and too apt to open a door without knocking. 

Ogasawara had a bad habit of doing it on purpose, just to piss Sasaki off.

“Let’s go make some breakfast, Myaa-chan. And spend the day together, just the two of us.” Sasaki gathered his love into another hug, then released him so they could get up and start the day.

—

Day two had been planned from the get-go to be a day of separation. Tashiro and Kuresawa were going to the nearby town for an adventure. They would find out later that Hanzawa decided to accompany them in an effort to spend more time with Tashiro as he figured out his feelings. Hirano and Kagiura had gotten up early for a hike up into the more intense and hilly terrain of the area. And Ogasawara and Yotoko were going on a romantic walk - just the two of them.

“He’s going to propose to her today. I’ve never seen him so excited and scared in his whole life, Myaa-chan.” Sasaki told him as they set down to their breakfast omelettes. 

“How long have you known?” Miyano asks him with a tilt of his head.

“Ogasawara asked me shortly after we told him about the trip. He…uhhh…wanted to make sure I didn’t have an issue with him asking her.” Sasaki explained, coughing slightly over his bite of egg. The look on Miyano’s face is strange- Sasaki can’t quite place what he’s thinking as he mulls over his own food.

“Are you upset that I didn’t tell you ahead of time?” Sasaki asks cautiously. Miyano jolts and looks at him with a quick smile.

“Uh, no. Ogasawara is your friend. I don’t expect him to tell me intimate things like that.” Miyano rushes the words out. “I’m really happy for them. I know he loves her very much. Just like Kuresawa loves Fujimi.” 

Ah. So that was it.

“Myaa-chan, are you jealous that other people are getting engaged before us?” Sasaki asked. 

Miyano’s eyes lowered to stare at his hands where they continued to poke at his omelette.

“Yeah.” He whispered at last, and it was so soft that Sasaki could hardly be sure he spoke at all.

“Do you want to get engaged?” Sasaki reached out and grabbed Miyano’s hand across the table.

“Uhm…Shuumei-san…I actually wanted to ask you that question.” Miyano’s face tilted up, and his cheeks were awash with red. His hand came up from his side, and Sasaki could see he was holding a little black jewelry box. “I just didn’t think so many people were thinking the same thing. So I can wait, and ask you some other time. A time that’s just ours, if you want–” 

Sasaki surged forward out of his seat, catching Miyano up in a hug that brought them both to their knees on the floor.

“Myaa-chan, are you kidding me?” Sasaki laughed and kissed him, in an absolute daze. “Of course I want to be engaged. I don’t care about sharing it with other people! As long as I get to share it with you!”

“I wanted to ask on your birthday, but then Satoko mentioned camping, and I just thought I should wait for something more special. But then everything with Tashiro and Hanzawa happened yesterday, and then you mentioned Ogasawara and Yotoko, and I thought I would have to wait again. I thought maybe I should wait until we got back home and ask you then. But it made me sad to think we could have been first, and that we’d end up being last instead!” Miyano was smiling as tears of happiness ran down his face.

“Well, Yoshikazu, you could ask me anytime if you were going to wait until we’re home.” Sasaki told him, holding his face gently in his hands. “Everywhere is home as long as I’m with you!” They leaned into each other, and Sasaki could swear it was the sweetest kiss they’d ever shared.

When Miyano gave him the ring, it was a beautiful silver band. Perfect and everything he could ever want.