NOT JUST FRIEND

The first time Aki and Fuyu met was in junior high school. Right the day before entering the new school.

Fuyu is a transfer student in grade 9 and is in a lot of trouble. Because his single parent father had to be transferred out of town, and the previous environment was not conducive to leaving him alone. And that's not the time to tell right now.

"Hey, you..." said the boy. "I'm Ryuunosuke Aki. And live alone. If you want... just join my boarding house. We'll work together later if we pay at the end of the month."

Fuyu, who was confused and shocked by the rental fee in his hand, immediately turned to the owner of the boarding house.

The fat man with the thick mustache looked at the boy. "Oh, you want that, Ki?" he asked.

"I can," replied the boy. "But it depends on the person I invite… like it or not."

Now back to fuyu. But the person concerned actually looks reluctant.

"I'm Kajima Fuyuki," said Fuyu. "But you're really okay, aren't you?"

"Of course. Why not?" replied the boy casually. He looked like he had just come home from archery lessons. On his back was a wrapped sporting tape. "Besides, the rent will be lighter for the two of us."

"But I'm still a little expensive," added the owner of the boarding house. "Both the cost of electricity and water increases..."

Aki actually smiled charmingly because of it. "Hmm... you can. But it's still lighter," he said. "At most just add how many tens of yen right?"

"Yes, Son. You deal?" asked the owner of the boarding house to Fuyu.

"Eh? I?"

"Of course. Who else do I ask? How are you..." sighed the owner of the boarding house.

"Then, yes."

Two hands shake. Agreed.

"Deals..."

So on that day there was an agreement that happened. Legitimate. Signed directly in black on white. Stamped and stamped as well. Even though the boarding house administration system is usually not that complicated.

Maybe because of VVIP, Fuyu just thought positively when he agreed. Because of that, he dragged the suitcase into the boarding house. Number 1005 AAH. And the keys rattled in Aki's sweaty hands.

"Come on," said Aki. And Fuyu immediately followed. "We're in."

"Yes."

Inside it turned out to be more than just expectations. Fuyu calls it extra exclusive VVIP, in fact.

Even though the paint on the outside is almost faded and peeling... but inside it is neatly arranged like a reliable interior designer. A bit narrow, indeed. Because there are a lot of things, furniture, and partitions. But if you look at the aesthetic side... this room is neat for the size of a boarding house.

"You look really surprised..." Aki snorted amused. He glanced briefly at Fuyu's expression before his new friend sat down on the sofa. "Yes. You're absolutely right..." said Fuyu subconsciously. "Mn. I mean it's better than my previous house."

Aki served a bottle of canned juice to Fuyu. "Is it true?"

"My home environment features a canopy and front porch," said Fuyu. "If the front is good... it must be considered rich."

"Hahah... what the hell is that." Aki sat next to Fuyu. Because there is only one sofa. And indeed that is the only place left.

"This boarding house is famous, you know," Aki said before drinking his own.

"When it comes to exterior paint... I heard that it will be repaired next week."

"Oh..." Fuyu sighed.

"And by the way thanks for the drink."

"That's more than anything else," Aki sneered. Making Fuyu fail to take the first sip. "We're together now. So it's okay both. We'll schedule it later. Instead of washing, shopping, cooking, cleaning, arranging things, ironing clothes, managing finances, and so on… agree?"

"Hah?" Fuyu confused at first. "But, okay... that's not bad either." He smile.

"You're easier to negotiate with than I imagined."

"Mn. But I'm not very good at washing clothes," said Fuyu. "I've always put it in the laundry."

"Oh... you're kind of a spoiled kid."

"It is not like that..."

"Then?" Fuyu looked at the juice can. "Because my mother died when I was little. My two brothers too. I mean . . . they had a single accident in the car," he said quietly. "So since I was little I always do laundry in the laundry. Because I don't have time to take care of the house alone. I have to cook and—"

"Oh. I don't know," Aki interrupted. "So sorry."

Fuyu immediately felt better. "So I'll just cook, okay?" bargain. "Every day doesn't matter. I used to wake up early to make breakfast, Dad."

"Ho..." Aki sighed. "May. So I wash and?"

"Of course organizing things, cleaning and ironing clothes. It's shopping, cooking and managing finances one way," said Fuyu. "How?"

Aki seemed to think for a moment this time. They stare. A second later, he wanted to laugh instead.

"Hey... why..." Fuyu sighed worriedly. "You're underestimating my cooking, aren't you? But I'm confident in my abilities anyway—"

"No-no," said Aki. Then he drank again. "I just… feel like I've just found the right partner in life. Ha ha ha..."

DEG.

"W-What did you say?" Fuyu blushed. Aki laughed louder.

"The right partner in life. So what?" Aki said innocently. "We will live together in the same house. With you being a great cook and I'm good at cleaning... I think my spontaneous decision to invite you should be commendable. Hoo..."

"What the hell..."

"So, just drink the juice..." joked Aki. "...After that, I just helped organize the things in our room. It's located on the top floor. Can you really… lift everything by yourself?"

Aki's words have always contained the content of performance from the past. Until unknowingly... Fuyu was automatically distracted.

"Of course not," said Fuyu. "So thank you, Aki."

"Hmm."

The first night in the boarding house that Fuyu called extra exclusive, he was really comfortable with his bed. Because from the start it was the size for two people and the velvet sheets were facing the outside view which consisted of a flower garden.

The walls there are made of glass. Right straight in front of the room. The curtains were drawn, and pinned. While Aki is still busy reading with glasses. By his side.

"Aki, you haven't slept yet?" he asked. While looking a little through the blanket that is up to the nose.

"It's clear yet, you see?" Aki answered without turning his head.

"Ah, sorry if I… turned out to be annoying."

"Not really," Aki said quickly. "I'm just really enjoying the first moments of having a bedmate."

DEG

"W-What?" Fuyu reflexively blushed again.

"Has a bedmate, you hear?" said Aki. This time he turned to Fuyu who looked caught off guard. "I usually go to bed at 11 pm because I wake up alone. But now it's more fun if you want to read more."

"I-I see, huh…" said Fuyu. He immediately turned his attention to the sky. No longer facing Aki. "But I wonder what you've been reading since then. I mean, it's the first day of new school tomorrow."

"Ah, this…" Aki sighed. "Just German vocabulary and conversation."

"What? German?"

"Hn."

"Why Germany? We don't have a schedule-"

"Ah, I haven't told you..." Aki said. Close the book. Then lie down facing Fuyu. "For me... my family was split in two because of the divorce."

"Hah? Divorced...?"