Driving there to thier destination they chatted and joked around with familiarity, the awkwardness from earlier soon forgotten. It is starting to remind him on how it use to be during the old times. But as they get closer to the park he begins to feel a bit anxious.
"Here we are." They both get out and take a look around at the big autumn field leaves decorated in beautiful colors. Can smell the salt water coming from the large lake with tiny boats couples ride along. There is tons of people all ages walking down the curvy park trail, and it really reminds him of their special hangout when they were kids. A few festival booths are set up alongside with different games and food. Everyone seems to be enjoying the view of the fall leaves.
"It's so crowded but I guess it's because we didn't exactly come early," Kahaku mumbles, causing Natsume to frown a little examining the park.
"I wonder if the paparazzi would even spot us in a crowd like this...Well we're here so let's not worry about it and try to enjoy ourseleves." Kahaku nods and Natsume reaches back grabbing his right hand. The shorter body stiffens up as Natsume goes off to start walking. Glances back looking down at the small gesture. "What's wrong? It doesn't bother you, does it? We're supposed to be trying to look like a couple."
"Ah, no, it's fine," he mumbles, his eyes glued to the ground.
We're only holding hands but even before this I've been a little anxious ever since the meeting this morning. I'm getting more comfortable around Natsume again but more nervous at the same time.
They walk through the park observing the leaves as the go. Some middle age flocks point and stare probably recognizing who they are, but well past the age to make a big deal over it. As they walk past foods stands Kahaku stops at the one selling Karaage on a stick. "I'm not all that hungry but the good smell of the food makes me want to try something. Do you want one of those?" Natsume asks.
"Yeah, I haven't had Karaage at a festival in a long time, and I didn't get a chance to eat much of anything." They walk up to the stand and just as Kahaku is about to pay Natsume hands the vendor the money himself. "You don't have to do that."
"We're suppose to be on a date remember. I should be treating you." He whispers where only Kahaku can hear. Him feeling his belly flop at the mention of date again.
"T-Thank you. Aren't you buying one for yourself?"
"No, I'll get some Takoyaki over there." They go to the stand and Kahaku waits while Natsume buys his food. Once he does the two take off walking and talking for awhile. When they pass a stand selling Karumeyaki Kahaku runs over to it without a second thought. "Kahaku!"
"Ah, I haven't had that in such a long time."
"You still love eating Karumeyaki?"
"Why do you sound so surprised? It's always been one of my favorites."
A cheeky smile spreads across his face. "Sure when we were little, but this is basically pure sugar. I just thought you would of outgrown this by now." Embarrassment sinks in on how he could get so happy over just carmel is a bit childish. Without further teasing Natsume steps up and orders one. "Here you go. Enjoy."
"You really don't have to keep buying me things." And he isn't just talking about today either, looking down at his outfit Natsume bought too.
"It isn't any trouble so just be grateful. Besides it's kinda cute how you still get so excited by little things like this. I couldn't not get for you."
He does feels a guilty with him spoiling him like this, though it doesn't erase the smile off his face.
The pair set off again soon stopping at a huge tree with a beautiful blend of colors in it. Out off all the ones they've viewed so far this one had the most left on it. Kahaku looks up in amazement. "It's so huge. Most of its leaves haven't fell off yet."
"Autumn was always your favorite season, right? You use to always drag me out to jump in the leaves piles with you."
"Yeah, I remember those times." Kahaku smiling warmly at the memory. He's glad to hear that Natsume still remembers so much about him. It shows maybe he really didn't just forget him the five years they were apart. He always hoped when he started singing Natsume and him could be reunited somehow. Now they finally are and he couldn't describe how happy he feels, but at the same time something feels...missing. Stopping this from being the perfect moment. He wonders what that is exactly.
"We should keep going. It's still a little more to see and I can't stay here all night. I have plans with Akira later."
Hearing this makes it feel like his heart dropped down to his stomach. There it is. "I didn't know you made plans with her today and we were supposed to be doing something." That probably coming out more snarky than it should have.
"It was last minute when she asked me, and I really didn't want to blow her off again. The short time I see her at home doesn't too much count. I figured we would be done by that time."
He doesn't respond as Natsume starts walking basically dragging Kahaku along while pulling on his arm. It still upsets him that Akira's plans always seem to come first. Over the friend he hasn't seen in a whole five years. Why is he so jealous of her? Is he really just envious that Natsume has a girlfriend or is it something deeper?
It's just upsetting Akira is Natsume's main focus right now. That's all it has to be. Nothing else...
After looking at more leaves Kahaku eyes go to the rest of Natsume's Takoyaki he still hasn't finished. He notices the boy's gaze chuckling a bit. "Don't tell me you're still hungry? After eating all you had you've developed quite the appetite."
"I'm not really hungry. The Takoyaki just looks so good. I'd like to buy one."
"If you just want to taste it why waste money buying one? You can just try a piece of mine." He slides one of them off the stick and holds it close to his mouth. "Here, open up."
At first Kahaku is unsure if he's serious or not. Once he realizes this however his cheeks grow red at the thought of him feeding him in a public place. After a forever debate, which in actuality is just a few seconds opens his mouth wide. "Ahh, oh!" A familiar and tasty flavor feels his mouth.
"Good right? They really outdid it in food this year."
"It's really good." Kahaku hums to himself as he continues eating. Natsume peeps behind them at a girl watching them closely with her mouth agape.
"I-It's Natsume! Natsume Reiji!"
"It really is him!" More girls gather around and Natusme looks around anxiously.
"We need to go!"
"Huh?" He snaps him out of his trance but not repeating himself grabs his hand and takes off running. "Woah! N-Natsume!"
They take off down the path with the crowd of girls only growing bigger. Natsume is running so fast he can hardly match his pace. At this rate either his arm will yank out of socket or he'll end up hitting the ground. "Natsume, you have to slow down! I can't keep up!"
"There is no time! Those girls basically have never ending adrenaline, so they won't be letting up anytime soon! They're already on our tail!" It's true the girls are gaining more speed inching closer by the second, but he just isn't going to be able to run anymore.
"But I-" He is shocked as Natsume stops momentarily to pick him up bridal style before continuing to run as before. "Natsume, they'll catch up to you faster this way! You should just leave me and get out of here." He definitely doesn't want to be left with those girls, but being carried like this is more than a little embarrassing.
"No way am I leaving you back there to be swallowed by them. Besides you're not that heavy."
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
Natsume runs toward the boating area where couples are riding down the stream together. He sets Kahaku on his feet while quickly speaking with the man in charge. He nods gesturing to the next boat for them to ride. Once the girls do catch up they try to follow, but after talking with employee he refuses to let them on one.
Natsume hand goes to his chest trying to catch his breath as Kahaku starts rowing the boat. "Um are you okay?"
"Never...been better...I haven't had to run like that in a good minute."
"What did you say to the man back there?"
"Just promised a little extra cash if he did me a small favor and not let those girls anywhere near the water."
A flashing light startles Kahaku as they both turn to see paparazzi openly snapping photos of them from the grass. "They...aren't making any effort to be secretive about it, are they?"
"My guess one of those early couples may of ratted us out. Probably how the girls found out about us too. You'll learn to ignore it after a while."
It's a moment of silence as Kahaku continues to row the boat. "This reminds me of when we played at the docks as kids. I had just moved there and you were showing me around."
"I never would of thought the deck I liked to chill at would become our favorite hang out spot."
He remembers vividly the time they spent there. Most of all the one when Natsume saved his life. It wasn't long after they first met...
Natsume and Kahaku were playing tag by the small lake. The blonde catched up to the younger giving him a light tap on his shoulder. "Now you're it."
"Aw, you always catch me quick."
"You'll get faster eventually. Now catch me if you can." He sprinted off as Kahaku gave chase. After running for so long Natsume went out to the edge of the deck. "Heh, better catch me while I'm trapped!"
"I got you now!" He sped towards him reaching out to tap the older boy, but before he could Natsume dodged to the right. Having Kahaku fall face first into the water. He held his stomach doubling over in laughter.
"I can't believe you actually fell for it!"
As Kahaku sunk farther down his hand reached out. He didn't know how to swim. No matter what kicking he did he still continued to be engulfed by the water. Natsume didn't know that he's drowning either. All he could think was is this really how it would was going to end for him.
Natsume squatted near the edge and offered a hand of assistance. "Here, I'll help out." But more time continued to pass and Kahaku didn't resurface. "Kahaku?" He noticed small bubbles coming up to the surface. "Kahaku!" He jumped in swimming downward to where Kahaku's body was resting at the bottom. He grabbed his left arm and pulled the younger boy up. Even with him out the water he wasn't moving or breathing. A look of panic crossed his face.
"Kahaku, please answer me! He isn't responding...My mother taught me what to do when someone isn't breathing, but will it really work?" He was still for a moment as if debating what to do. He quickly shaked his head in frustration. "No time to doubt myself. I have to try!"
He began giving CPR starting with chest compressions then giving recuse breaths. Before long Kahaku slowly started to open his eyes. He coughed up water trying to catch his breath as Natsume exhaled deeply throwing his arms around him. "Thank God. Kahaku, I'm taking you back to the house."
As long ago as that was he recalls as if it happened yesterday. "If it weren't for you giving me CPR I wouldn't be here today. I remember you distant yourself from me for awhile after that."
"Well I felt I was partially responsible for that happening to you. I shouldn't played such a stupid prank to begin with."
Natsume might seem like the laid back sort when you first get to know him, but he takes a lot of things to heart. This is a incident Kahaku wishes he wouldn't be so hard on himself over. "It wasn't your fault. I never told you I didn't know how to swim. I shouldn't been playing around the deck in the first place. Still, you wouldn't let us play there anymore until you taught me how."
"Of course, I didn't want an accident like that to ever happen again."
The boat ride soon ends and upon getting off the girls seem to have scattered. "Free at last. It is getting dark so why don't I take you home." That isn't so much as a question than a statement. He does have other plans tonight.
"I'm glad we were able to come here. I had a good time," Kahaku says as they head back.
"I did too and you have nothing to worry about. We'll create a lot more memories like this one."
Would it truly be like this? He looks down at Natsume hands tucked away in his jacket pockets. He wishes he could feel the warmth as before and hold unto it as they head to the car. But that wouldn't happen now because the 'date' is over. The more time they spend together, the more confused he is starting to feel.