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Takuto's love for Ranmaru is vast and deep, a neverending sea of emotions for his childhood best friend.
He remembers his first meeting with him, when he was once a spoiled kid while Ranmaru was a stubborn one.
He remembers how every time he opened his mouth to spout some ridiculous and words so obviously from a spoiled child, the pink haired boy would start throwing anything and everything at him to shut him up.
Their arguments got so bad that their teachers made them go counselling together so they could learn to get along. It worked well.
..A little too well.
After that, they became close, incredibly close. In a way that instead of forcing them to get along, their teachers tried to force them apart. And they failed. Miserably.
Probably due to Takuto's whining and crying the moment any of their teachers suggested them socialising or getting to know their other peers.
Eventually, their teachers got tired and left the both of them alone, allowing Takuto to cling to Ranmaru as much as he wanted.
Much to the delight of Takuto and the awkwardness from Ranmaru. Sure he liked Takuto, but damn could he cling like his lifeline was Ranmaru.
Though as awkward as Ranmaru seemed by this new side of Takuto, he enjoyed the boy's presence enough to grow to be unbothered by his attachment.
As they grew older, Takuto's love for Ranmaru grew. He loved how the boy was so encouraging to him, he was there when he needed help, a shoulder to cry on, and someone to talk to when things get too much.
He was a constant presence in Takuto's life, in school, in the mall, in the arcade, and in his home. They were always together, attached by hip to one another so it was inevitable when one would catch feelings for the other.
It was Takuto who fell first. It wasn't anything remotely romantic when he discovered his love for his best friend but to him, it was special.
It was just a normal day, Takuto was playing his piano when he glanced up and noticed the serene expression on Ranmaru's face.
His eyes closed as a slight smile appeared on his face, his head was swaying back and forth gently, moving in sync with his playing.
That's when Takuto knew.
In that room while basking in the light of the setting sun held not only two boys who both relaxed after the stress of starting a revolution but also Takuto's newfound love for Ranmaru.
The boy who had once been the one to throw Takuto's own crumpled up piano sheets at him, the boy who was the first to not find his excessive need for attention annoying, the boy who had seen his vulnerability and comforted him each and everytime, and now the boy who he loves with all his heart.
Ranmaru didn't know it yet but he caught the heart of the playmaker, the boy who'd annoyed him at first and turned to be his best friend.
And as Takuto stared at Ranmaru that day he knew already how deep he'd be falling for the boy who was covered in mud and dirt daily, who was there for everybody on the team, and who was a constant in his life.
Takuto wouldn't have it any other way.
Because falling for Ranmaru was unavoidable. He was someone who noticed things most wouldn't, the one who learned how to calm people down, the kind of someone who— no matter how angry he was— saw the good in everyone.
And as Valentine's day approached, he stared at the boy on the field. He watched the way he moved so gracefully, kicking the ball with precision as he avoided incoming tackles.
His fist clenched at the spot on his uniform near his heart, eyes full of love and admiration as he watched the boy oblivious to his stare.
"Geez, you're hopeless, you know that?"
He surpressed a flinch, feeling his heart rate spike up as he turned to the girl beside him.
Seto Midori.
"Seto-san! I.. I'm unsure what you're trying to say.."
He replied nervously as the girl stared at him with a blank expression on her face.
"You're in love with Kirino, aren't you?"
She asked while redirecting her gaze to the field, watching as Ranmaru passed the ball to Matsukaze. Takuto blinked owlishly before following her gaze and feeling his eyes soften as he watched Ranmaru.
"Was it.. obvious?"
"Seriously? You're asking me that? It's so blindingly obvious, you stare at him like you're a lovesick puppy."
"I.. I see."
"You better make a move before someone beats you to it, lover boy."
The words stayed with him as Seto left, his gaze remaining on his best friend.
Make a move, huh?
-----
Takuto stared at the paper in frustration, he'd been trying for hours how to properly word this letter but no matter how much he phrased it, it wasn't good enough.
He needed it to be perfect. Just like how Ranmaru looked to him.
So he wrote and wrote until finally:
To Ranmaru,
I love you, in a way that seems so unexplainably right. There are no words to explain how deep this love I have for you is. Somehow you make the room shine brighter than it already has. You make everything feel right.
Everytime we talk, I don't listen, not because I don't care but because looking at you is the most breathtaking sight I've ever taken in. I committed to remembering every part of you. To your dimples, to your perfect smile, to the way your eyes shine like bright stars against the night sky.
You have a way of making things feel lighter, better in a way. When I'm with you, I smile more. You've always been home to me, Ranmaru.
You've always been the first to be there for me, the first to believe in me, and the first to comfort me. You notice things others don't, you observe everything closely and it shows just how much you care not only for me but for the whole team.
As I write this letter, I have one thing to ask of you. Will you be my boyfriend? Will you allow me the pleasure of being with you in more than just a platonic way?
Ranmaru, whatever your answer may be, just know that I am glad to have told you these feelings that I harbour for you.
With All My Love, Takuto
-----
When Takuto got to school that day, he was unsurprised with the letters and chocolates piling his desk and filling his locker.
It was something he was used to. Though this year he wasn't stressing about White Day, this year he held a love letter in the palm of his hand. Not given to him but something he would give.
He felt his heart beat as he approached Ranmaru but before he could utter a word, he saw both Minamisawa and Kurama there with him.
All three were staring at eachother in the way he stared at Ranmaru. Full of love and endearment. But what sealed the deal for him was Ranmaru kissing the both of them on the cheeks.
He never pegged Kurama and Minamisawa as the type to be in love. It wasn't like he was saying either were incapable of feeling it just that Takuto thought they'd be too focused on more important things rather than love.
He never thought the two of them loved Ranmaru either nor did he think Ranmaru would love the two back.
As he stood still in his place, the letter creased in his hand. He smiled, tears flowing down his cheeks as he whispered.
"I'm glad you're happy, Ranmaru."
He turned and walked off, leaving the three behind underneath the sakura trees he was planning to confess to Ranmaru to.
Takuto's love for Ranmaru was vast and deep, a neverending sea of emotions for a boy who saw him as nothing more than a friend.