[Hajime POV]
I walked home from Kyo's place. It was a 15-minute walk, so it's not that close by. I see the view of scattered boxes, some of them unopened, as I enter my house. The smell of sweet ham being fried wafted through the air. My mom is in the kitchen, cooking breakfast.
"Hey, Hajime," My mom greets me with a smile. "How was your time with your new friends?"
"It was fine," I replied. "They seem cool and friendly. They're good people."
"I'm glad!" My mom was worried at first because this is our first move ever in our life, but after hearing that I made some friends, she seemed relieved and happy.
"Breakfast is still cooking, so I'll call you if it's done."
I show a small smile at her. "Okay," I took a small bow. "Thank you."
I proceed to go to my room.
I enter my room and took a look at it. It was still small and undecorated, but I'm pretty tired, so I think I'll do it later. Though, the only thing set up is my study desk. My laptop is in the center, while it's surrounded by cases of pens, markers, pencils, and other stationaries. at the very far left is a small book rack filled with novels and manga.
I took a seat at my rotating chair and spun while sitting. I still can't take my mind off of what happened last night. I stopped the spinning by placing a hand on my desk and faced toward it. I took a pen from one of the cases and I keep poking my face as I remember what he looked like when he was sleeping. He actually looked so cute while sleeping soundly.
I smile at the thought of that. Crap, I should have taken a photo.
I realize what I was thinking and hit clasped my hands on both my cheeks.
Crap, I'm doing it again! Stop doing this every time you meet someone cute! Plus, he seems like he's not into guys, so that should be a sign to stop.
Thinking about him made me remember his past that he can't get over with. I do feel bad for him for making someone drive away even though he didn't mean it. It really also wasn't his fault. He grew up without someone teaching him about crushes, feelings, and emotions. Of course, he couldn't see the signs if someone was into him. If I ever took a shot, he won't even realize it. I hope that everything goes better for him. He looked pained that night when we talk about that moment of his.
Other than that, he seems like a nice person and I genuinely enjoy our time together playing video games. I look forward to the days we spend together. I don't expect that things won't go beyond friends.
* * * * *
My mom came home early for work, so I took a walk outside to get familiar with the town.
Taking a walk down the road is relaxing. There are kids in the streets playing and a couple of people from their office jobs were walking home. I think about what these people are thinking. Are they excited to come home because their work was stressful? Are they worried because they left their kids without dinner and that they might try to make something and gets into an accident? Or are they looking forward to spending with the people they like after a long day of stressful work? Everyone has different perspectives and thinking about what they're thinking gets me interested.
After walking around town for almost half an hour, I stop at a park and saw an empty playground. There, I sat on a swing and rocked it back and forth. I began to think about some things.
* * * * *
In the last year of elementary, I discovered that I'm into girls and boys. I don't know really know how, but I think it was because of this drama I saw on TV once. I didn't have the knowledge that it was a boys' love drama, and honestly, it was good. The plot was amazing and the chemistry of the couple is so cute, that I fell in love with the characters. It was so wholesome and pure that it almost made me explode. After that heck of a ride, it made me feel like I want to find that kind of person on the drama I watched. A caring guy who just wants to make you happy.
I have been in a relationship twice with girls in my entire years of junior high school, but I never actually got in a relationship with a guy.
Though, I used to have a crush on one. He was in the same grade as me. I don't really base my interest on looks, but I admit that when we meet someone, we first base our interest on their appearance. He was not the best-looking guy, but when I get to know him, he was a nice, caring, and funny person who cares about their friends a lot. I found myself hanging out with him almost every day after class. I sometimes walk him to his home because for some reason, I want him to be safe, even though he looks like he's the one who needs to protect me.
One time, I did something dumb. There was an upcoming dance that will happen in our school. I told myself that once a piece of slow music is played, I'll ask him to dance.
That night, I gathered my courage to do it, but I saw him dancing with a girl. They looked at each others' eyes intimately and they kissed, but then were broken apart by one of the teachers.
That night broke me. It was not his fault. It was mine, for expecting that I could actually ask him to dance.
Since that night, I have avoided him because it hurt every time I look at him. One time, he talked to me alone in our classroom because I've been avoiding him for days now.
I told him the truth. That I liked him, and that I was supposed to ask him to the dance, but I didn't because he kissed someone. I also told him that I was broken because of him and that I didn't blame him for it.
I thought that everything will end there, but it didn't. He was cool with me. He didn't like me back, but honestly, that's fine. He doesn't mind that I like him like that. What surprised me is that to make up for what happened, he asked me to dance with him in the classroom this instant.
It was honestly the best day of my life. He even played a piece of slow music from his phone to accompany us.
He's the kind of person that I would want if I ever get in a relationship with a guy, but I was happy that I get to meet him and became his friend.
* * * * *
It was getting dark, so I got up from the swing and walked home. As I walk, I receive a message from my mom.
Mom: Hajime, I'm sorry, but my office called and asked me to go to the office. There was an emergency and I think I won't be home for a while.
Crap, we just moved here. I don't have a spare key!
Me: I'll just wait for you here.
Mom: No, don't. You'll get sick waiting for me. Maybe ask if one of your friends is willing to let you stay for the night?
Me: Ok, I will.
I scratch my head. I guess I only have one option.
* * * * *
[Kyo POV]
I lie in bed, talking to Kaito through chat. We were talking about a video game when he suddenly brought up a topic. He sent me a picture of Hajime and me, sleeping on the couch, my head resting on his lap. That made me jump in my bed.
Me: Hey, why do you have that?!
Kaito: I saw you two earlier like this and it's too good to not take a pic.
Me: Why would you do that?!
Kaito: I'm just curious. What happened to you guys that lead to this event?
Me: Nothing! I can't sleep that night and it happens that he saw me having trouble sleeping. He suggested that I sleep on his lap because that helped him as a kid.
Kaito: Mhmmm, sureeeeee...
Me: What does that supposed to mean?
Kaito: Dude, are you sure that he's not into you?
Me: WHAT?!?!?!
Kaito: I dunno man, that seems suspicious.
Me: Come on man, he's just trying to help. He's being nice!
Kaito: Uhm, not to trigger your past, but didn't that also happen to you? Someone was "being nice" to you, but the person actually likes you.
Me: Ugh, I don't know anymore. I still believe that he's just being nice.
Kaito: Whatever man. One day, he'll do things to get more close to you, then he'll confess.
I don't know why he's making a big deal out of this. He's just being nice! Why does he need to overthink this? He's just a nice guy who's trying to help me sleep. He even listens to my problems even though we just met. Plus, there's no way that you'll immediately fall for a person you just met.
You, don't, right?
I don't know, I've never experienced this before, and as I said before, I'm not good with identifying these feelings stuff.
I hear a faint knock. It was coming from the front door. I got up from the bed and made my way to the front door. I opened it and I was surprised by the person who greeted me.
I'm starting to think about what Kaito said to me.
[END OF CHAPTER 1]