Chapter Text
“Toge, I like you a lot,” Yuta says, his face burning red.
His best friend looks at him, really looks at him.
“Tuna.” (So do I.)
“Seriously? Oh, thank Gojo.” Yuta’s nervousness turns into a mix of relief and happiness. “Do you want to be boyfriends?”
“Bonito flakes?” (What do you think?)
Yuta reaches for Inumaki’s hand, sliding his own into his newfound lover’s.
….
Inumaki woke up with a start.
He slowly rose from the sheets and realised Yuta had already gotten up.
The sun spilled through the half-open curtains. He could hear the soft sound of the wind whispering its morning secrets.
Toge leaned over to check his phone: 8:30 AM.
He slid out of bed, straightened the sheets, then headed to the bathroom, where he washed all the tiredness off his face.
Afterwards, Inumaki headed to the living room, where Okkotsu was curled up on the couch, reading a book and sipping what looked like coffee.
“Morning, babe,” Yuta said, looking up from his book. “Did you sleep well?”
“Kelp.” (No.) He replied, “Tuna mayo.” (I woke up without you beside me.)
Yuta got up, placing the book and mug on the kitchen counter. “I’m sorry, Toge. Would you like me to make you something to eat or drink?”
“Mustard leaf.” (Yes, that would be lovely.)
As Okkotsu started boiling the kettle, Inumaki sat himself on a stool across from his boyfriend.
“Well, unfortunately, I picked up an extra shift, as the company’s busy this time of year.”
Inumaki made a sour face at those words.
“I know, I know. I don’t want to either, but what else can I do?”
Inumaki pouted. “Bonito flakes.” (Stay with me.)
“I can stay with you, unless you want me to lose my job.”
“Kelp.” (Fine.)
Yuta slid a mug full of warm coffee to the cursed speech user. “Here, apology coffee because of my absence today.”
Toge took a sip of the coffee. “Tuna mayo.” (Apology accepted.)
“I’m going to go get ready for work.”
“Mustard leaf.” (Let me know before you leave for work!)
Okkotsu planted a kiss on his lover’s head as he headed for the bathroom. “I will. Love you, Toge.”
….
Megumi isn’t one to have many friends.
Aside from his sunshine boyfriend and a crazy lesbian, there weren’t many people besides this group.
Inumaki was the exception.
They both went to school together, and Inumaki was his senpai.
So when he gets a text from the older boy, he knows a reply is mandatory.
….
INUMAKI: MEGUMI FUSHIGURO.
INUMAKI: I NEED HELP.
INUMAKI: pls?
INUMAKI: if you dont come online rn i will jump you
MEGUMI: Chill, what’s up??
INUMAKI: I maybe myt have realised its 1 month to Okko’s bday
MEGUMI: And???
INUMAKI: I NEED A GOOD GIFT.
MEGUMI: Do u have any ideas???
INUMAKI: Well…
MEGUMI: Spit it out alrdy.
INUMAKI: I was thinking of trying to say his name…
MEGUMI: Oh.
MEGUMI: DO YOU REALISE HOW DANGEROUS THAT IS?
MEGUMI: ONE WRONG WORD AND ITS KABOOM JAPAN?
INUMAKI: But he always goes the extra mile for me and i want to do smth nice for him instead
INUMAKI: also u owe me one for u and a certain boy’s mishaps
MEGUMI: Fine. We can practice somewhere secluded I guess.
INUMAKI: TYSM!!!
MEGUMI: Only bc i owe you one.
MEGUMI: And you’re my friend.
INUMAKI: :)
....
A couple hours later, Inumaki stands in the middle of a secluded field on the outskirts of town. Megumi stands about a meter from him, ready to attack if something goes wrong.
“Okay,” Fushiguro starts, "How do you want to say his name? Because I know you have a nickname for him.”
“Bonito flakes” (I don’t know)
Megumi rolls his eyes, “That’s going to help a lot.”
Inumaki stays quiet for a minute, thinking about his options.
“Tuna Mayo.” (While saying ‘Okko’ could be cute I think ‘Okkotsu’ or ‘Yuta’ would be nicer)
“How about we try ‘Okkotsu’ first, if not Yuta?”
Inumaki nods.
Megumi brushes a hand through his hair, “How do we even do this?”
The cursed speech user shrugs.
“Okay, um. How about we start with trying to say just the ‘O’ part in his name?” Fushiguro asked.
Toge nods once more.
He felt the breeze around him. Dandelions blow in the wind, the sky painted with pinks and purple, a warm feeling bubbling inside of him.
Megumi takes a slow step back.
He nods.
Inumaki nods back.
He shapes his mouth into an ‘o’ shape,
“Uh”
“Don’t be scared,” Megumi says calmly, “Confidence.”
“Uh”
“Inumaki-san”
Toge glares at him, “MuStArD LeAf.” (I’m trying my best here.)
“This is going to be a long month.”