Archive of Our Own ^beta

Lazy remnants of sunlight streamed in through the bedroom window, bathing Mika’s bedroom in a soft orange glow. Twilight had always been Mika’s favourite time of day, made even better by the other person currently occupying Mika’s room. Mika tapped his pencil against his text book, he was supposed to be studying but instead he was absentmindedly staring at his best friend, a habit he found himself doing quite often.

Yuuichirou Amane laid asleep on Mika’s bed, resting peacefully and unaware of the blonde’s intense lingering stare. The two had been friends for as long as Mika could remember, meeting in the first grade and had since been inseparable.

There was nowhere that Yuu went that Mika didn’t follow. Everyone knew that they were a package deal. If Yuu wasn’t going, Mika wouldn’t be there. If Mika couldn’t come, Yuu wasn’t interested. Being so close, it was natural that as they grew older this intense feeling to stay beside one another would finally be given a name.

Love.

Something that Mika had known for a while now. It shouldn’t have him like a tonne of bricks but when it did, it was like the stars fell into place, the planets aligned and Mika wasn’t sure how he had failed to notice how the raven haired boy made him feel before.

It wasn’t some monumental event that led Mika to this conclusion, just a lazy afternoon spent with their friends in Yoichi’s backyard. Mika had been talking to Mitsuba about their summer homework when Yuu had catapulted across the backyard and tackled Mika, throwing him to the floor and the two boys began to wrestle.

The others laughed in the background as Mika straddled Yuu, pinning his hands above his head. Yuu laughed as well, one of Mika’s most favourite sounds. Something seemed to click in that moment. As Mika stared down at his best friend all he could think about was how much he loved him. He adored Yuu’s cheery personality, he adored how even Yuu’s eyes seemed to smile when he was around people he loved, he adored the way his best friends hair seemed to have a mind of its own, he adored how Yuu would pout and try to ignore him when things wouldn’t go Yuu’s way, it would never last more than five minutes.

He loved everything about Yuu.

That revelation had hit Mika a while ago and it had turned out all their friends had known for far long. So a year later, Mika was still pinning after his best friend.

Mika was shaken from his thoughts as Yuu stirred on the bed.

“Hey sleepyhead” Mika chuckled.

“What time is it?” Yuu mumbled, rubbing his eyes. Mika smiled warmly at the sight. It was so right to have Yuu here.

“Nearly 6:30” Yuu stood and swayed over to where Mika sat at his desk. With an outstretched hand he grabbed Mika and pulled him to his feet.

“You’ve been studying all afternoon, time for a break” Yuu lead him over to the bed and lied back down, Mika shoved him over and took a spot next to him.

“Should you still be saying that when you’re a week behind on the homework Mr Ichinose gave us?”

Yuu smiled, sleepy again. Mika chuckled, Yuu was always so carefree – the boy was probably part sloth.

“I’ve nearly got it finished. For now though, we nap?” Yuu closed his eyes, still facing Mika and giving him to opportunity to look over Yuu’s features again.

“Sure, Yuu-chan” Mika said softly, his voice like feathers.

“Hey Mika, are you doing anything for Valentine’s Day next week?” Yuu mumbled, outstretching his hand.

Mika twisted his fingers with Yuu’s before he even realised what he was doing, it was natural.

“No, are you?” Mika whispered, his eyes drifting closed.

“I have plans” Yuu said slowly as the last depths of sleep ensnared him again.

Mika’s eyes flew open, his heart thumping wildly in his chest.

Plans for Valentine’s? With who?

It had nearly been a week since Yuu had mentioned he had plans for Valentine’s and it was driving Mika insane. They told each other everything, so why hadn’t Yuu told him this?

As usual, lunchtime the past week had consisted of Mika and his friends sitting out by the tree where they usually ate lunch. Although this time, Yuu had been unusually absent from lunch all week and Mika had spent the break time pacing back and forth.

“I honestly think your starting to form a trench with how much you’ve been pacing” Kimizuki muttered as he bit into an apple.

“Yeah, Mika you got ant in your pants or something?” Mitsuba laughed. Mika let out a growl and the group snickered.

“You know what’s wrong!” Mika wailed dramatically.

“So, Yuu-san has plans for Valentine’s?” Shinoa asked.

“Why is that a problem?” Mitsuba asked.

“Mitsu! You know our dear Mika has only been pining after our Yuu-san since forever?”

Mika let out a disgruntled noise and flung himself into a spot next to Shinoa.

“Why wouldn’t he have told me before if he had plans for Valentine’s Day though? Yuu-chan has never kept anything from me!” The poor boy was delirious. He’d hadn’t been sleeping properly the past week, all he could think about was Yuu’s sudden announcement.

“I think you’re reading too much into this Mika. Yuu’s never shown any interest in anyone” Shinoa said, patting Mika on the back. Which was true, Yuu had never really shown anyone out of his group of friends any sort of special attention and even within their circle of friends it had always been Mika he had favorited.

“Shinoa’s right though” Kimizuki added.

Yoichi, who had only just gotten his lunch from the cafeteria finally made his presence known.

“Guys! You’ll never guess what I just saw?” The small boy said as he ran towards his friends.

“What?” Mitsuba deadpanned.

Yoichi sat down on the grass in front of his friends unpacking his lunch before he looked up.

“I just came from the cafeteria and guess who I saw?!” Yoichi said, vibrating with anticipation.

“Who?” Shinoa asked.

“Yuu-kun and guess what? He was sitting with Akane and I mean like super close, like heads practically pressed together and they were talking to each other about something secret – you don’t think that’s who Yuu-kun has plans with for Valent-“ Yoichi didn’t get to finish his rambling.

Mika let out a loud groan and placed his head in his hands.

“I don’t want Yuu-chan to get a girlfriend!”

“Because you love him?” Shinoa prompted.

“Exactly! Because I love Yuu-chan” Mika sniffled as he rested his head on Shinoa’s shoulder.

“Well, Y’know Mika…have you ever thought about telling Yuu-san how you feel about him?” Shinoa suggested.

Mika sat upright and looked at Shinoa like she was crazy.

“No! What if he rejected me? What if I ruined what we had between us?”

“Are you okay with someone else taking him?” Kimizuki asked.

“No”

“Then your options are - either say nothing and let someone else take Yuu or you tell him how you feel” Mitsuba said.

“I know, I know. What if I ruin our friendship? What if Yuu thinks I’m a freak? What if he never wants to speak to me again?!”

“Mika, you know that Yuu would never treat you like that. The worst thing he can say is no. If you never put yourself out there he’ll never know how you feel” Yoichi said softly, patting Mika on the knee.

“How do I tell him then? I wouldn’t know the first thing about confessing to someone”.

“Au Contraire, my friend!” Shinoa said as she slung an arm around Mika’s shoulder. “Leave it to me, I’m a master when it comes to love”.

“You are?” Mitsuba said, blankly. Shinoa shushed Mitsuba with a wave of her hand.

“Leave it to us Mika! Yuu will be yours before Valentine’s! Let operation ‘Capture Yuu-san’s heart’ begin!”

Mika smiled a little.

With Shinoa on his side what could possibly go wrong?

3 Days Until Valentine’s Day.

Today’s plan was simple.

“Use your charms to get his attention” Shinoa had coached him yesterday. “You’re an attractive guy Mika, flirt with Yuu a little. Open his eyes and show him what’s in front of him”.

“Flirt with him?”

“You know…wink at him, laugh at whatever he says, twirl your hair around your finger, touch his shoulder”

Which is why Mika found himself in the second floor bathroom at school giving himself a pep talk.

“I can do this, I can do this, I can do this. I’m an attractive guy, I can do this” Mika repeated over and over again.

A snigger was heard at the entrance to the bathroom, someone had heard Mika. The blonde haired boy had blushed scarlet. Yet, he was determined not to let this throw him off his game.

The problem was where to catch Yuu, he’d been like a ghost this past week – with Mika in classes and then disappearing during breaks.

First period rolled around and he had seen no sign of the raven haired boy. This didn’t deter Mika though! He knew he’d have his shot. They shared the same classes. Mika waltzed into English literature, trying to keep a pep in his step, in reality that pep was a nervous shake as he approached the bench he stared with Yuu.

“Gosh, he looks great today” Mika thought to himself, despite the bed hair and sleepy eyes. Yuu hadn’t noticed Mika’s approach, too busy staring at his phone. “Show time, you can do this”.

Mika positioned himself in front of Yuu, one hand on the bench, hip cocked with his other hand resting on it.

“Hey babe” Mika said in an unnaturally low voice, at the same time one of the other students called out across the classroom. Yuu hadn’t heard Mika. With a low rumble to clear his throat Mika tried again.

“Hey good looking” Mika said in the same low voice.

“What was that?” Yuu asked, suddenly looking up. Startled, Mika jumped.

“H-hi Yuu-chan” Mika cried in a high pitch voice, blushing red. “I – I mean. Hey Yuu-chan. It’s a great day isn’t it? Y’know I was thinking of riding my bike home today. Maybe stop at the park, those ducklings are there, you know what? Bread, I need to get some bread” Mika rambled, trying to regain his composure. Yuu looked at his best friend dubiously for a second before he placed his hand on Mika’s shoulder.

“Are you feeling okay Mika? Did you forget you drove your car today? I saw it in the parking lot?”

“Ha ha ha!” Mika laughed loudly. “Of course, I remembered I was just testing you” he pointed his fingers at Yuu.

“Did you seriously just finger gun me?” Yuu laughed, ruffling Mika’s hair.

Mika chuckled nervously as the teacher entered the room. Bringing the conversation to a halt. With his attempt thwarted, Mika refused to let this get to him. He was just nervous, next time he’d get Yuu see his charm for sure and then he’d fall madly in love with Mika.  Unfortunately the opportunity for a second chance didn’t reveal itself in the first period. Kureto Hiiragi was a slave driver of a teacher, very strict as well. All the students knew absolutely no talking in class unless it had been directed by Mr. Hiiragi.

Second period didn’t present any chances for Mika to show Yuu his ‘charm’ either. Third period had Mika determined to be successful. Yuu was waiting for Mika outside the classroom as usual. The walk across Sanguinem High to their next class was quite far – 5 minutes away, the high school campus was huge. But this left Mika with more than enough time to put the moves on his Yuu.  Passing Shinoa and Kimizuki in the hall way, they gave the pair a wave, then a thumbs up to Mika when Yuu wasn’t watching. That didn’t help, in fact it made Mika more nervous. So nervous in fact he didn’t try to talk to Yuu on the way to their next class. They were sitting in his seats before Mika even realised.

“Mika, have you been listening to anything I’ve said?” Yuu asked, capturing Mika’s attention.

“Sorry, what?” Mika said, a slight blush against his cheeks.

“I said today really is a fine day outside isn’t it?” Yuu peered out the window.

“I think your fine” Mika blurted out. Yuu turned to look at him.

“Quick, Mika! Think! Do something to show your charm” Mika thought to himself.

Mika winked at the raven haired boy. Repeatedly and intensely.

“Ah, are you okay? Is there something in your eye?” Yuu asked, concerned. Mika mentally smacked himself in the face. He tried to remember what else Shinoa had said to do. Giggle and twirling his hair seemed like his next best option.

“Ha ha ha! Oh you’re so funny, Yuu-chan, I’m fine!” Mika giggled, sounding somewhat insane and robotic as he twirled his hair.

Yuu looked at him as if he’d grown a second head.

“Abort mission! Abort Mission!” Echoed Mika in his mind.

“Are you sure though Mika? You seem a bit…off today?”

“Don’t be afraid to touch, Yuu” Shinoa had said to Mika “Give him a flirty push on the shoulder”.

“Oh Yuu-chan…” Mika started, trying to giggle again and he gave Yuu’s shoulder a light push. Mika’s chair wobbled, suddenly off balance and he fell backwards, papers on the desk flying everywhere.

“Mika!” Yuu called, jumping up off his chair to help his friend. “Are you okay?”

“Peachy” Mika deadpanned, pulling a piece of paper off the top of his head.

Mika had been silenced once again as class started, cutting off any communication with Yuu that wasn’t about their classwork. As the bell sounded to signify the start of lunch, Yuu was up and out of his seat before Mika could blink.

Surprisingly enough, Yuu had been easy to find, standing at his locker with the door half shut, he peered around the hallway, almost as if he was hiding something.

“Okay, you can do this. This is my last chance. I’ll charm the pants off him” Mika said under his breath, gathering the last of his determination.

“Hey there, Yuu-cha-“ Mika tried to purr out loud but was suddenly cut off, his foot catching on someone else’s and he was sent careening to the floor.

In his desperation he’d reached out to latch onto something. It didn’t quite catch his fall though and he ended up bringing it to the floor with him. A loud smack sounded throughout the hallway as Mika’s face hit the floor. Starling pain emanated from Mika’s nose and it made contact with the polish concrete.

“Fuck” Mika cried.

“Holy shit! Mika” Yuu cried out desperately as he looked down at his best friend. Mika looked up to meet Yuu’s eyes despite the pain, Yuu was just as red in the face he was.

Wait, Yuu was blushing – why?

Mika slowly looked down at what he had in hands. As he had fallen, he had failed to notice that he had gripped Yuu’s shorts, leaving the raven haired boy standing there in his boxer briefs, his shorts around his ankles.

“Ahhhh!” Mika wailed as he let go of Yuu’s shorts. “I’m sorry, Yuu-chan” he cried.

Yuu quickly reached down to pull up his pants, avoiding the lingering eyes and snickers of those in the hallways.

“Holy shit Mika! Your nose is bleeding” Yuu said, kneeling down in front of his friend. The mention of his nose, reminded Mika of the pain he had momentarily forgotten about. Sure enough, there was a bright red trail of blood spurting from Mika’s nose. “Crap, can you stand we need to get you to the nurses office?”

Hooking his arm around Mika’s waist, Yuu hauled his friend to his feet.

“Try use your shirt to soak up some of the bleeding” Yuu said softly, as he helped guide the blonde haired boy to the infirmary.

“When I thought to myself before that I wanted your arms around me, this wasn’t what I had in mind” Mika grumbled under his breath.

“What was that?” Yuu asked, concern in his voice.

“Nothing, nothing” Mika said as they entered the nurse’s office.

“Oh, my goodness! What happened?” The nurse ask as she ran across the room.

Mika was in a foul mood when his father, Ferid came to pick him up during fourth period. The nurse had sent Yuu back to class, despite his insistence to stay with Mika until he was picked up.

“His nose isn’t broken” The nurse had told his father. “Tell him to keep some ice on it tonight and any swelling should be gone by tomorrow”.

“Isn’t that great! Mika?” Ferid had asked.

“Yay. Hooray” Mika said, his voice dull and he went back to his brooding.

Tomorrow would be the day Yuu finally noticed his feelings.

Two Days Until Valentine’s Day

Shinoa’s foolish plan had been a complete bust. Dejected, Mika felt like throwing in the towel, he wasn’t cut out for this kind of thing.

“That’s ridiculous” Mitsuba had replied curtly on the phone the previous night. “Although, your first mistake was taking advice from Shinoa in the first place. I mean who the hell calls themselves ‘The Love Guru’. Anyway, this time I’ll help you Mika” Mitsuba had declared confidently.

Gifts had been Mitsuba’s plan.

“I always love it when a guy gives me gifts. Perhaps a gift would show Yuu how you feel about him”

“What would I give him though?” Mika had asked. “I don’t have time to get the shops tonight”

“Relax, Mika. We’ll organise the gifts and we’ll give them to you tomorrow” Mitsuba had hung up the phone, leaving Mika questioning what they had picked and praying tomorrow went smoothly.

Mika had woken the next day feeling refreshed and confident in Mitsuba’s plan. Gifts would be a perfect opportunity for Mika to show Yuu he appreciated him as more than a friend.

His chance to strike would have to be in the afternoon, considering he wouldn’t have time to get the gifts from Mitsuba until at least recess or lunch. The day proceeded smoothly, Yuu was buzzing around Mika all morning, concerned about his injuries from the previous day.

“Are you sure your nose is okay though?” Yuu had asked for the fiftieth time, his hands coming up to rest on Mika’s cheeks, turning his head from side to side to examine Mika’s face. Mika felt his face grow hot and flush. Yuu was so close, his hands lingering on Mika’s hot skin.

“I-I’m fine! I kept the ice on just like the nurse had said” Mika mumbled, looking anywhere but Yuu’s eyes.

“I’m kind of surprised it’s not broken though. You ate dirt really hard” Mika battered the raven haired boys hand away.

“Gee, thanks Yuu-chan” Mika mumbled.

As he took his seat next to Yuu he noticed that the boy was shaking with excitement.

“What’s wrong Yuu-chan?” Mika asked.

“Ah – oh, nothing. I’m just nervous”

“Nervous?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I’m meeting a friend during break, we’re planning something” Yuu said, not meeting Mika’s eye.

“Is it Akane?”

 Yuu laughed nervously, “So you know about her?”

“Is she the one you’re planning things with for Valentine’s?”

“That’s a secret” Yuu said in a firm tone, any further discussion was silenced as the teacher entered.

What was so important about Akane that Yuu couldn’t talk about her to Mika? Why had he never mentioned his interest in her before? Did this mean Mika and Yuu were no longer best friends? Would Akane really take Mika away?

Yuu seemed to be a master at steering the conversation away from Akane whenever Mika brought her up, always involved with someone else or moving about the classroom and the halls of the school.

Fed up, Mika was sulking by lunch time. He had joined Shinoa, Yoichi, Kimizuki and Mitsuba in the cafeteria for lunch.

“How’s your face?” Mitsuba snickered. Mika shot daggers at her.

“Now, now” Yoichi chuckled nervously.

“I mean really though – you listened to Shinoa of all people”

“Ouch” Shinoa laughed. “Despite how you did though Mika, I think your attempts were adorable – Yuu-chan must have been charmed!”

“No Shinoa! Baby otters are adorable, kittens and puppies are adorable. I was a train wreck” Mika groaned with his face in his hands. Kimizuki let out a low chuckle.

“Stop stressing Mika! Nothing will go wrong today” Mitsuba smiled, grabbing Mika’s hands across the table. “Trust me”

“The last time someone said that, look what happened” Kimizuki muttered.

“Shut up you telephone pole” Mitsuba had clearly been spending too much time around Yuu. “Like I said to you on the phone last night, I’ve got everything organised for you, you just need to give it to Yuu” Mitsuba said, opening her messenger bag that was on the seat next to her. Her brows knit together as she dug through its contents.  

“What’s wrong?” Yoichi questioned.

“Nothing, it’s just I had it in here…” Mitsuba pulled a few larger items out her bag – a binder, her pencil case, a makeup bag. “I remember putting it in here this morning”

“What was the gift?” Shinoa asked, stuffing her face with food. Mitsuba looked up at Shinoa as she answered.

“Chocolat-“ Mitsuba stopped abruptly before rising to her feet, her expression livid. “SHINOA!” Mitsuba cried.

Shinoa looked sheepish as she looked down at the chocolates she had just finished eating.

“Those were the chocolates for Mika to give to Yuu!”

 “Mitsu- you know I always look through your bag for snacks” Shinoa laughed weakly.

“That wasn’t a granola bar or fruit like you normally eat! Use your brain, idiot!” Mitsuba rounded the table, Shinoa shrank back in her seat as the blonde haired girl reached forward and grabbed her cheeks. “Did the big red bow not give you a sign that they were special or the fact that the chocolates were shaped like hearts?” Mitsuba whacked Shinoa over the back of the head, before storming off towards the exit of the cafeteria.

“Mika! I’ll find you in between periods, I’ve got a backup” Mitsuba called over her shoulder as she marched out of the room.

The group’s eyes turned back to Shinoa who was nursing the back of her head.

“He he. Oops”

Mika groaned, dropping his head to the table.

The afternoon passed by and Mika hadn’t run into Mitsuba. He found her after final period, twirling her hair as she waited outside in the hall for Mika’s class to finish.

“Let’s go” Mitsuba called, towing Mika along with her.

Mitsuba lead Mika down the hall and to her locker, Yoichi was waiting for them.

“Close your eyes” Mika closed his eyes and Mitsuba reached into her locker. “Tada!” she called gleefully.

Mika opened his eyes to find a beautiful bouquet of yellow roses shoved into his face. They looked like little balls of sunshine.

“They’re lovely Mitsuba” Mika said, taking the bouquet as he admired the petals.

“I’m sure Yuu will love them” Mitsuba smiled, patting Mika on the shoulder.

Yoichi squeaked nervously and the pair turned to look at their other friend.

“What is it?”

“Do you know much about the meaning of different flowers?”

“No, what’s wrong Yoichi?” Mitsuba asked.

“Well, a red rose traditionally means love. Where a yellow rose…” Yoichi looked away from the pair, rubbing his arm.

“A yellow rose?” Mika prompted.

“A yellow rose means friendship” Yoichi said.

“Crap. I’m so sorry Mika! I didn’t even realise” Mitsuba said, looking upset.

“It’s okay, you weren’t to know”

“That doesn’t have to matter though” Yoichi said, trying to lift the mood. “Yuu-kun doesn’t know that, you can still give it to him to make him understand your feelings”

“Yeah, it doesn’t matter”

“Well, I’m going to see if I can track Yuu-chan down then. Wish me luck?” Mika smiled.

“Good luck” Mitsuba and Yoichi wished, returning the smile.

Yuu was easy to find, waiting where Mika had asked him too. He wasn’t alone though, Mika lingered in the door way as he watched Yuu talk to Akane about something, while she took notes in a book.

He took a few steps out from the door way when Yuu looked up and spotted him. He quickly whispered something in Akane’s ear, she looked over her shoulder at Mika before ducking her head and walking briskly in the opposite direction.

“Hey Yuu-chan” Mika greeted slowly as he approached his friend.

“Hey Mika, what’s up?” Yuu leaned back on the bench and gave Mika an easy smile, a smile reserved just for him.

“Talking to Akane again?”

“Yes, she’s just helping me with something” Yuu said. “Anyway, did you need me for something?”

Mika felt his heart flutter. It was now or never. Yuu would finally realise how he felt.

The familiar distaste of uncertain rejection crept into Mika’s mouth. What if Yuu did reject him? What if you was dating Akane? What if he never spoke to Mika again?

“Y-yeah…I wanted to give you these?” Mika said, producing the bouquet of yellow roses from behind his back. He handed them to Yuu, who was staring at roses with wide eyes.

“Mika?” Yuu gasped. “Why?” The raven haired boy stared at the roses intensely, before he looked up at Mika with an unreadable expression on his serious face.

Mika was silent for a while trying to process the unknown emotion in Yuu’s eyes. The cogs in his brain worked overtime and Mika could taste the rejection on his tongue.

“Because I’m in…” he paused, his pulse racing, feeling faint, afraid. Dejected, Mika continued, laughing nervously.

“For being such a good friend to me after I fell” Mika rubbed the back of his head nervously. “I just wanted to say thank you for being…my best friend” Mika shuffled on his feet. “I-I have to go now, stuff to do at home”.

“You alright?” Yuu asked, staring at his friend dubiously.

“Fine” Mika replied, already taking off to the car park. “I’ll speak to you soon”

“Yeah, I’ll call you later” Yuu said.

He watched the blonde haired boy all but sprint away. When he was out of sight Yuu looked back down at the roses, sitting on the picnic table beside him.

“Best friends, huh?”

One day until Valentine’s Day

It was a beautiful day. Sun high in the high sky, not a cloud in sight, a gentle breeze blowing. It would have been peaceful if it weren’t for the blonde haired girl muttering and cursing.

“I can’t believe you gave the flowers to Yuu as a thank you gift!” Mitsuba shrieked as she paced back and forth. The rest of the gang, minus Yuu, were hanging out at their usual spot.

 “This love is doomed I tell you! Doomed!” Mitsuba wailed.

Mika’s shoulders slumped further, Shinoa tucked Mika under her arm.

“That’s enough Mitsu” Shinoa warned, Yoichi patted Mika’s back trying to provide some form of comfort.

“What’s worse is that he’s still being secretive with Akane! What’s his deal anyway? Where’s he been all week? I’ve hardly spoken to him. Every time I’ve seen him he’s with her!” Mitsuba continued, retracing Mika ‘trench’.

“That’s enough Mitsuba” Kimizuki growled. Four pairs of eyes turned to look at the boy who usually was indifferent. “He’s having a hard enough time as is, back off”

“Sorry Mika” Mitsuba said, looking apologetic.

“It’s okay, I’m sorry too. I just…the words wouldn’t come out” Mika said. “Besides, I should face reality, tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and I’m no closer to making Yuu realise how I feel about him then when I first started” Shinoa patted Mika’s head as he rested in on her shoulder.

“Today isn’t over yet though” Kimizuki noted.

“What’s the point though?”

“Mika don’t give up” Yoichi said, grabbing his hands and pulling him forward. “You still have today!”

“Yoichi..”

“No! Shh Mika! The girls helped you! Now it’s my turn” The brunette stared at Mika with glittering eyes. “I have a perfect plan”.

“Which is?” Mitsuba asked.

“Well, think…what is Yuu-kun’s favourite thing on the planet?” Yoichi quizzed.

The group was silent for a moment before they all responded.

“Food”

“Exactly and as the saying goes ‘the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’”

“So your plan is what?”

“Mika is going to invite Yuu-kun over for dinner” The brunette boy smiled.

“Yoichi, you’re forgetting I cant cook” Mika gulped.

“That’s where I come in. I’ll meet you at your house after school” Yoichi said, rising to his feet as the bell sounded for afternoon classes.

“Sure, see you”

“Mika, don’t look so nervous. Besides what could possibly go wrong?” Shinoa chuckled.

True to his word, Yoichi showed up at Mika’s house at 5:30 PM, walking in carrying overflowing shopping bags filled with food.

“You need some help with that?”

“Thanks Mika” Yoichi smiled, relieved to have some of the weight off him. “Did you ring Yuu?”

“Yeah, he’ll be here at 6”

“That doesn’t leave us with a lot of time. Let’s get started” Yoichi said, walking into the kitchen and setting the bags down on the counter, he began to unpack an abundance of groceries.

“This looks like enough to feel a family. What are we making?” Mika joined Yoichi as he finished unpacking the groceries.

“I was thinking something simple, does lasagne sound good?”

“Sounds great!”

“Alright, we don’t have much time to make it so why don’t I focus on the lasagne and you do the salad” Yoichi grabbed the premade pasta sheets and the other ingredients for the lasagne. Mika set himself up with a chopping, knife and bowl, feeling confident. A salad was something he could do, actually cooking something – not so much.

“If I had been more organised I would have come over earlier and actually taught you to make the lasagne from scratch” Yoichi spoke over his shoulder as he worked.

“It’s okay, I’m just relieved you were able to come over to help me” Mika smiled, rinsing the lettuce.

“Rain check?” Yoichi offered.

“Absolutely, it might be nice to get some actual cooking lessons”

“And continue to impress Yuu-kun with your culinary prowess”

“Something like that” Mika laughed.

The pair worked in unison, Yoichi provided Mika with in-depth instructions on how to chop the vegetables and make the quick salad dressing.

The doorbell rang just as Yoichi had put the lasagne into the oven.

“Crap! That’s Yuu” Mika muttered.

“It’s okay, I’ll sneak out the back – he won’t even know I was here” Yoichi quickly pulled off his apron and made his way to the back door.

“Your car?”

“It’s okay, I parked around the block” Yoichi reassured.

“Thank you so much for today Yoichi, I really appreciate it”

“It’s okay, Mika-kun. I hope things go well tonight. Just make sure to keep an eye on the oven” Yoichi slipped out the door and around to the side of the house, most likely to wait for Yuu to enter the house before he made his getaway.

Mika walked to the front of the house and opened the door to see the raven haired boy waiting. He smiled brightly at Mika and the blonde felt his pulse race. Mika knew tonight would be the night he confessed to his best friend.

“Hey Yuu-chan, come in?” Mika stood aside to let Yuu in.

“Of course” Yuu smiled as he walked into the foyer, kicking off his shoes.

Mika led them over to the lounge room. Yuu beelined to the sofa and collapsed onto it, lying down. Yuu had been coming to Mika’s house since he was a small child, there was no need for him to be formal.

“So did you want to do anything tonight or…?” Yuu asked, picking up a magazine off the coffee table and flicking through it.

“No, just hang out”

“You want to get food later” Yuu asked, not looking up as Mika perched himself on the edge of the sofa.

“No, actually. I made dinner” Mika mumbled.

“Really? You making dinner? You couldn’t cook your way out of a cardboard box” Yuu laughed as he sat up, grabbing Mika and pulling him onto the sofa.

“Have some faith Yuu-chan, I followed the instructions”

“What are we having?”

“That’s a surprise” Mika laughed, rising to his feet again. “Do you want to watch a movie?”

“Sure” Yuu said, moving to help Mika pick out a movie. The pair decided on a ridiculously bad action movie with a low budget.

“Why are we watching this?” Mika laughed as he sat down on the couch. Yuu popped the movie into the player before he returned to his original spot on the couch, this time instead, resting his head on Mika’s lap.

“You know what? It’s probably so bad it’s good” Mika shook his head in disbelief.

The movie was a train wreck, Mika and Yuu found themselves laughing throughout the whole movie at the horrible effects and ill delivered lines. About an hour into the movie, the pair grew quiet.

“Yuu-chan, can I ask you a question?” Mika asked, Yuu rolled onto his back to peer up at Mika’s nervous face.

“You know you can always ask me anything, Mika” Yuu smiled, trying to calm those nerves. It did the opposite, sending Mika’s pulse racing, and his skin sizzling with electricity.

“What have you been doing with Akane this past week?” Mika bit his lip and watched as that careful mask slid back onto Yuu’s face.

“It’s a secret” Yuu avoided Mika’s gaze.

“Yuu-chan, we’ve always told each other everything” Mika started to feel the tears well in his eyes. “I don’t like feeling that you’re distant from me”

Alarmed, Yuu sat up, gripping Mika’s face gently.

“Hey, it’s nothing bad. I want to tell you…I just can’t right now. Soon, I will” Yuu said, wiping a fallen tear as Mika sniffled, nodding his head.

“Are you…are you dating Akane?” Mika whispered, not really wanting to hear the answer.

“God no!” Yuu said, Mika opened his eyes. “She’s nice but she’s just a friend. She’s helping me with something”

“Your secret?”

“Yes, I promise I’ll tell you soon”

The pair stared at each other for a second, not realising how close their faces were to each other. That unknown emotion flickered in Yuu’s eyes as he watched Mika’s eyes flicker from his eyes to his mouth.

“Yuu-chan, I…”

“What is it, Mika?” Yuu asked, breathlessly.

“I-I need to tell you…”

“Yes?” The pair drifted closer together, faces inches apart.

“I-I lo-“ Mika tried.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

The smoke alarm blared, causing both boys to jump in the air, rising to their feet.

“What is that?” Yuu asked, startled. “Something smells like its burning!”

“Shit! That would be the smoke alarm and our dinner!” Mika raced into the kitchen to find grey smoke rising from the oven.

 He opened the oven, coughing. The blonde quickly slipped on a pair of oven mits and pulled the ceramic dish from the oven. The lasagne stared back at him, black and charred.

“No, no, no” Mika panicked.

“Is everything okay, Mika?” Yuu asked, sounding concerned as he entered the kitchen.

“No! I forgot the check on dinner and it’s ruined. Why do I always do this Yuu-chan? I can’t seem to do anything right” Mika sniffled as the tears began to sting his eyes.

“Hey, hey!” Yuu cooed as he walked over to his best friend, tugging him back into the lounge room and sitting the both of them down on the sofa. He pulled Mikainto a hug. “Its okay, Mika. We all make mistakes. It’s okay” Yuu soothed as he ran his fingers through Mika’s hair, trying to console the blonde haired boy.

“B-but I wanted to make dinner for you, Yuu-chan” Mika mumbled. “You must be so disappointed” Yuu pulled back to look at Mika, his blue eyes were red and teary.

“You listen to me, Mikaela Shindo! I could never be disappointed in you! I’m not upset with you that dinner didn’t work out, these things happen, okay. I really appreciate that you wanted to do this for me. It means a lot” Yuu reassured, brushing his thumb against Mika’s cheek. “I’m not disappointed in you, okay?”

Mika nodded as Yuu hugged him close again. When Mika had finally calmed down, Yuu moved away but didn’t let go of the blonde’s hand.

“You okay now?”

“Yes, thank you, Yuu-chan” Mika smiled a small smile.

“Okay, well if you’re feeling better…how about we go out to eat?” Yuu suggested, grinning. “Anything you want?”

“Even that new Indian place?” Mika asked. Yuu made a face and Mika chuckled, the raven haired boy wasn’t fond of Indian food.

Yuu stood, taking Mika’s hand in his.

“Yes, Mika. For you…even Indian food”

Valentine's Day

Mika felt deflated. Three days, three botched attempts to make Yuu understand how he felt and there was nothing to show for it.

Walking the halls of the school didn’t help Mika feel any better either, he stared enviously at the couples giving each other chocolates and presents. Even the helium balloons shaped like hearts that seemed decorate all the halls made Mika feel like being sick.

Not to mention even their friends were being secretive around the halls. Mika had caught a glimpse of Yuu in the car parking lot talking to the group before he’d gotten in his car and left.

“I’m cursed, jaded, jinxed” Mika had cried during the recess break.

“Look, Mika. Yesterday wasn’t all bad. At least we know now that Yuu-san isn’t dating Akane” Shinoa reassured, rubbing Mika on the back.

“Well, he’s still keeping things from me”

“He told you he’d tell you soon though” Kimizuki remarked.

“Yeah, so?”

“So… have some faith in kid” Kimizuki continued. “Besides…he said he’d tell you to-“

Mitsuba suddenly interrupted, standing up and in the process spilling her drink over Kimizuki.

“HA HA HA. Oh my gosh. I’m such a klutz” She giggled. She gripped his wrist and hauled him out of the cafeteria.

“Mit…su...ba” Kimizuki breathed, veins popping on his forehead.

“I’m sorry but you needed to shut up or you would have spilled the beans” Mitsuba snarled under her breath as she led him from the room.

“Are those two okay?” Mika asked.

“Oh, perfectly fine” Yoichi laughed.

The bell rang for third period as Mika stood up to collect his books for his next class.

“Aren’t you two going to class?” Mika eyed Shinoa and Yoichi warily as they stayed seated.

“Oh, of course we are” Shinoa laughed weakly, grabbing her messenger bag and then Yoichi by the wrist, dragging him into the hall with her. “Have a good evening, Mika” Shinoa called over her shoulder. Mika stared after her confused. He had no plans for the evening.

The rest of the day passed by slowly, leaving Mika feeling even more dejected as arrived home, where he was convinced he wouldn’t ever emerge – too many happy couples left a bitter taste in his mouth, especially since Mika was convinced all these past few days had done was solidify himself in the ‘best friend’ category.

Home wasn’t much better, every television station was filled with lovey dovey programs and movies, Mika wasn’t willing to lose any brain cells laughing at the lame joke filled rom coms on television. Mika’s mom had left pink cupcakes in the kitchen and a lovely heart shaped post it note to let Mika know she was out with his father on a date.

“At least some of us are lucky” Mika grumbled as he climbed the steps into his room. He flopped down onto his bed and connected his phone to the portable doc through Bluetooth.

“I guess all that’s left to do is wallow in my own self-pity” Mika thought as a ballad about heartbreak poured into the background. With heavy eyes, Mika closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, hoping to forget how miserable today had been.

Peaceful slumber was interrupted a few hours later as Mika was stirred from sleep by his phone ringing.

“Hello” Mika answered, voice groggy.

“You’re up? Great. Come down stairs. We’re going out” Shinoa declared over the phone line.

“What?”

“Don’t ask questions, just get ready and meet me downstairs” Shinoa said, hanging up the call.

Confused, Mika didn’t bother to question anything more. He pulled on a new pair of jeans, a black t-shirt and his converse before he ran down the stairs and opened the door.

Shinoa was standing there, grinning at Mika happily.

“Where are we going? What’s happening?” Mika asked.

“That is for you to find out” Shinoa evaded. “Now put this on” Shinoa produced a black blindfold.

“What? No?”

“C’mon Mika. Put on the blindfold and don’t be a spoiled sport” Mika groaned and snatched it from the purpled haired girl’s hands.

“Now what?”

“We are going on a trip” Shinoa chuckled as she led Mika to her car and helped to buckle him in. “Off we go” She said, starting the car. Mika’s head spun with the possibilities of what was happening as Shinoa took him to his destination. The trip felt like it lasted for what felt like hours before they had apparently arrived.

“Don’t you dare take off that blindfold” Shinoa said, helping Mika from the car and guiding him to his final destination. After walking up some stairs and a short distance further, they came to a stop and Shinoa’s hands left Mika’s wrist.

“What is happening Shinoa? I’m kind of over this now” Mika grumbled. “Shinoa? Shinoa? Are you there? If this is a joke I’m not very happy”

“It’s not a joke” A familiar voice called in front of Mika. “Take off the blindfold Mika”

Mika could feel his heart hammering in his chest, his veins pumping liquid hot lava all over his body. Ever so slowly, Mika lifted the blindfold and gasped.

Mika was standing on a patio surrounded by hundreds of tea light candles and on the grass and trees there were lights. Hundreds, possibly thousands of twinkling white lights, pink ones hung from the canopy above. Soft music played in the background.

His eyes focused on the figure in front of him.

Yuu stood in the middle of the grass, surrounded by all the lights, staring at Mika.

“W-what is this, Yuu-chan?” Mika asked as he approached his best friend. Yuu actually looked nervous, wringing his hands together.

“Mika” he smiled nervously.

“Yuu-chan?”

“This is my…Happy Valentine’s Day Mika” Yuu said, capturing Mika’s hand.

“What do you mean?”

“What I mean” Yuu let out a deep breath. “What I mean is there is something I’ve been wanting to say for a while now”

“Yes, Yuu-chan?” Mika smiled, trying to prompt his friend to answer.

“I….I’m in love with you Mika”

Mika blinked once, twice, three times. White noise sounded in his ears and he tried to process what Yuu had just told him. Yuu the person Mika had been in love with for years, his best friend…had just told Mika that he loved him. It was like a dream or a present wrapped up in a bow, giving Mika exactly what he desired or had spent the last three days working towards only too…

“You can’t be serious!” Mika grumbled.

“Sorry?” Yuu asked, looking slightly upset. “This isn’t how I pictured this night going?”

“I have spent the last three day trying to make you understand I was in love with you. I listened to Shinoa and flirted with you and look at that disaster, Mitsuba tried to make me give you flowers but gave me yellow roses instead of red. Yoichi helped me make you dinner last night but I burnt it and now you’re confessing to me?”

“Wait, Mika-“

“So, you were talking to Akane this whole week because?”

“She was helping me plan all this. But, Mi-“

“Shinoa picked me up tonight! How long has everyone known about this? Have they been laughing at me all week?” Mika grilled.

“No, look. I only told them about this today. You just said-“

“What about-“

“Mika, do you love me too?” Yuu said loudly, cutting the blonde off.

“Yes” Mika could manage before he was silenced.  Mika stood wide eyed as his dreams came true.

Yuu had cut him off with his lips pressed against Mika’s. Ever so slowly, Mika began to respond to the soft push and pull of the lips that pressed against his, coming to the realization that this wasn’t a dream and his best friend, who had been his long time crush and the person he loved was now kissing him. Mika placed his arms around Yuu’s waist, pressing himself against the raven haired boy. With a peck on the lips the pairs pulled away slightly, resting their foreheads against one another.

“I love you, Yuu-chan” Mika breathed.

“I love you too” Yuu whispered as Mika recaptured his lips.

This kiss was more insistent and hungry. Mika felt almost desperate as he clutched Yuu’s waist. He moaned against Yuu’s lips as he felt his fingers wind into his hair. Yuu pressed his tongue against Mika’s asking for permission. Mika opened his mouth slightly, groaning softly as Yuu’s tongue slid against his own. The kiss lasted for what felt like hours but moments later Mika pulled away so the pair could breathe.

“Wow” Mika sighed.

“Wow, seems correct” Yuu laughed softly.

The pair moved to go sit on the steps of the porch, Mika’s head resting against Yuu’s shoulder, hands intertwined.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Mika”

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Yuu-chan”

Which it was – the very best Valentine’s Day Mika had ever experienced. A small smile played on the blonde haired boy’s lips as he realised he got to keep Yuu by his side for many more Valentine’s to come.