"Love isn't just about fitting into each other's worlds; it's about finding beauty in the spaces between. Hiiragi taught me to savor the quiet moments, while I showed him the thrill of chasing dreams. Together, we bridged the gap between tradition and modernity, creating a home in each other where Kyoto's calm meets New York's energy."
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Hiiragi walked through the bustling streets of Tokyo, Akane's small hand securely in his own. The late afternoon sun bathed the city in a warm, golden light, casting long shadows on the pavement. Akane was unusually quiet today, her normally energetic chatter reduced to a few murmurs as she clutched her beloved stuffed puppy, Poppy.
Hiiragi glanced down at her, noticing the pensive look on her face. "What's on your mind, Akane?" he asked softly, his tone gentle.
Akane looked up at him with wide, curious eyes. "Oji-san, why does Victor always smile at you like that?"
Hiiragi blinked in surprise, momentarily thrown off by the unexpected question. "Like what?"
"Like he really, really likes you," Akane explained with the simple clarity only a child could possess.
Hiiragi felt his cheeks warm slightly at her observation. He hadn't really noticed anything unusual in Victor's behavior, but now that Akane mentioned it, there had been moments where he'd caught Victor looking at him with a soft, lingering gaze. It wasn't something Hiiragi had dwelled on, but now the thought lingered in his mind.
"He's just being nice, Akane," Hiiragi replied, trying to keep his voice even. "Victor's a kind person."
Akane nodded slowly, but her curiosity wasn't entirely satisfied. "Do you like him, Oji-san?"
The question hung in the air, and Hiiragi found himself at a loss for words. It wasn't that he disliked Victor—on the contrary, he enjoyed the other man's company. Victor was warm, genuine, and had a way of making those around him feel comfortable. But the idea of liking him in the way Akane was hinting at? That was something Hiiragi hadn't really considered.
Before he could formulate an answer, Akane's attention was diverted by the sight of a street vendor selling colorful balloons. Her face lit up with excitement, and she tugged on Hiiragi's hand. "Oji-san, can we get one?"
Hiiragi was grateful for the distraction. "Of course," he replied with a smile, leading her over to the vendor.
As they approached the stall, Hiiragi's thoughts drifted back to Victor. Akane's question had stirred something in him, something he wasn't entirely ready to confront. There was no denying that he felt comfortable around Victor, that he appreciated the man's easygoing nature and the way he made an effort to include Akane in everything. But was there something more to it? Could there be?
Hiiragi handed over some yen and watched as Akane picked out a bright pink balloon, her face beaming with joy. Her happiness was infectious, and Hiiragi found himself smiling despite the turmoil in his thoughts.
Later that evening, after putting Akane to bed, Hiiragi found himself scrolling through his phone, absentmindedly tapping through his messages. A new one from Victor caught his eye.
Hey Hiiragi, I was thinking—there's this great little café near my place. They serve amazing matcha lattes. Would you like to check it out with me sometime?
Hiiragi stared at the message for a moment, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Victor's invitations had become more frequent lately, and Hiiragi had begun to notice a certain warmth in the way he phrased them, a kind of casual intimacy that made Hiiragi feel both comfortable and slightly on edge.
He typed out a quick reply. That sounds nice. When are you free?
The response was almost immediate. How about tomorrow afternoon? Around 2?
Hiiragi hesitated for a second, then sent his agreement. As he set his phone down, he couldn't help but feel a small flutter of anticipation. It was just coffee, he told himself—nothing more. But a part of him couldn't shake the thought that maybe, just maybe, there was something more behind Victor's invitation.
The next day, as Hiiragi approached the café, he spotted Victor waiting outside, leaning casually against the brick wall. The sight of him sent a warm, inexplicable feeling through Hiiragi. Victor looked up and smiled as Hiiragi drew closer, and for a brief moment, Hiiragi felt something stir within him—something unfamiliar, something that made him slightly nervous.
"Hiiragi, good to see you," Victor greeted warmly, opening the door for him.
"Good to see you too," Hiiragi replied, his voice steady despite the small, inexplicable flutter in his chest.
They found a quiet corner in the café and ordered their drinks. As they waited, Hiiragi found himself studying Victor more closely than he had before. The blond man seemed relaxed, his green eyes bright and focused entirely on Hiiragi, as if there was nowhere else he'd rather be.
Victor noticed Hiiragi's gaze and gave him a curious smile. "What's on your mind?"
Hiiragi blinked, feeling slightly embarrassed at being caught staring. "Nothing, really," he said quickly. "Just… thinking."
"About?"
Hiiragi hesitated. "About why you've been so nice to me. I mean, we've only known each other for a short time."
Victor's smile softened, his gaze turning more serious. "You're easy to be nice to, Hiiragi. I enjoy spending time with you."
There was a sincerity in Victor's voice that made Hiiragi's heart skip a beat. He wasn't sure how to respond to that, so he simply nodded, taking a sip of his matcha latte to buy himself some time.
Victor didn't press further, instead shifting the conversation to more casual topics. But even as they talked about everything from their classes to their favorite places in Tokyo, Hiiragi couldn't shake the feeling that there was something unspoken between them, something that lingered just beneath the surface.
As they left the café, Victor walked beside Hiiragi, their conversation trailing off into a comfortable silence. Hiiragi felt a strange mix of emotions—contentment, confusion, and something else he couldn't quite place. He wasn't ready to acknowledge it, not yet. But as they parted ways, with Victor giving him a warm, lingering smile, Hiiragi couldn't deny that something was beginning to change.
He just wasn't sure what it meant.
Victor, on the other hand, felt the beginnings of a quiet, gentle attraction that he couldn't quite shake. He knew it was still too early to say what might come of it, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of hope, a feeling that maybe, just maybe, there was something special between them waiting to be discovered.
The days following their café visit were a whirlwind of activities and studies, yet the memory of that afternoon stayed with Victor. He found himself replaying their conversations, the subtle glances Hiiragi had given him, and the quiet moments they shared. It was a delicate dance, a tentative exploration of something that might be more than just friendship.
Victor couldn't help but notice how Hiiragi occupied his thoughts more and more. It wasn't just a passing interest; it was a growing curiosity, a desire to know more about him. There was a gentleness to Hiiragi, a quiet strength that drew Victor in. He admired how Hiiragi cared for his family, especially his niece Akane. It was clear that Hiiragi was devoted to those he loved, and that sense of responsibility only made Victor's feelings deepen.
One evening, Victor sat in his apartment, scrolling through his phone. He paused on a photo he had taken of Hiiragi and Akane at the park a few days ago. They were sitting on a bench, Akane's head resting on Hiiragi's shoulder as she held her stuffed puppy. Hiiragi had a soft smile on his face, his expression tender as he looked down at her.
Victor smiled, his thumb brushing over the screen as he saved the photo to a special album. He hadn't meant to capture such an intimate moment, but the picture spoke volumes. It showed the side of Hiiragi that Victor found himself drawn to—the kind, nurturing side that made him want to get closer, to be a part of that quiet world Hiiragi inhabited.
But he also knew he had to be patient. Hiiragi wasn't the type to rush into anything, and Victor respected that. They were still getting to know each other, and while Victor was starting to feel the stirrings of something more, he understood that Hiiragi wasn't there yet. He could sense that Hiiragi wasn't ready to open his heart, that there were still walls up, and Victor wasn't about to push him.
Still, Victor couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if those walls came down. What would it be like to have Hiiragi trust him, to see him as more than just a friend? The thought filled Victor with a warm, almost giddy feeling that he hadn't experienced in a long time.
But for now, Victor knew he had to take things slowly. He would continue to spend time with Hiiragi, getting to know him better, enjoying his company, and maybe—just maybe—one day those feelings would be mutual.
Meanwhile, Hiiragi was also thinking about Victor, though not in the same way. After their last meeting, Hiiragi found himself replaying their conversations, trying to decipher what exactly was going on. He enjoyed Victor's company, that much was certain. But there was something else—a subtle shift in the way Victor looked at him, in the way he spoke to him.
Hiiragi couldn't quite put his finger on it. He didn't have a lot of experience with relationships, and the idea of someone being romantically interested in him was still foreign. Victor was kind, considerate, and always seemed to go out of his way to make Hiiragi comfortable. But was there more to it?
Hiiragi wasn't sure, and he wasn't ready to delve into those feelings just yet. He had enough on his plate with his studies, taking care of Akane, and helping his mother settle into their new life in Tokyo. Romance was the last thing on his mind.
But that didn't stop him from thinking about Victor. He wondered why Victor was so interested in spending time with him, why he always seemed to be there whenever Hiiragi needed a friend. Was it just kindness, or was there something more? Hiiragi didn't know, and for now, he decided not to dwell on it.
Instead, he focused on Akane, who was his priority. One evening, as they sat on the floor of their small living room, playing with her stuffed animals, Akane suddenly looked up at him with her big, curious eyes.
"Oji-san, are you going to see Victor-san again?" she asked, her voice innocent and sweet.
Hiiragi paused, surprised by the question. "Why do you ask, Akane?"
"Because you always smile when you talk about him," she said matter-of-factly, her little hands smoothing down the fur of her puppy.
Hiiragi felt a warmth in his chest, a mixture of amusement and affection for his niece. "Do I?"
Akane nodded, her expression serious. "I think Victor-san makes you happy."
Hiiragi didn't know how to respond to that. He hadn't realized that he smiled when he talked about Victor, but hearing it from Akane made him think. Maybe there was something about Victor that did make him happy, something that made him look forward to their next meeting.
But that was just friendship, right? Hiiragi wasn't sure. He hadn't felt anything beyond a strong sense of companionship and gratitude towards Victor. It was comforting to have someone like Victor in his life, especially during such a turbulent time. But love? That was a different matter entirely.
Hiiragi ruffled Akane's hair, smiling softly at her. "Victor is a good friend, Akane. I'm glad you like him too."
Akane grinned, hugging her puppy close. "I like him lots! He's fun."
Hiiragi chuckled. "He is, isn't he?"
As they continued playing, Hiiragi's thoughts drifted back to Victor. He knew he wasn't ready for anything more than friendship, but he couldn't deny that he appreciated having Victor around. It was nice to have someone who cared, someone who made him smile without even trying.
Whatever the future held, Hiiragi was content to take things one step at a time. For now, he would focus on his family, his studies, and the simple pleasure of spending time with a friend who seemed to understand him better than he understood himself.
Later that week, Hiiragi found himself in a situation he hadn't anticipated. It was a quiet afternoon, and he was just finishing his homework when his phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was his mother, Mei Sakamoto.
"Hiiragi, I'm so sorry to bother you, but I need your help," Mei's voice was laced with urgency.
Hiiragi immediately straightened up, concern flooding his chest. "What's wrong, Okaa-san?"
"There's been an emergency at work. One of my colleagues fell ill, and they need me to cover their shift at the hospital. I don't have anyone to look after Akane," Mei explained, her voice tinged with worry.
Hiiragi glanced over at Akane, who was happily coloring in her drawing book on the living room floor. "I can take care of her, Okaa-san. Don't worry."
Mei hesitated. "I know you have your studies, and you've been helping out so much already. I just hate to burden you more."
"It's no burden," Hiiragi assured her. "Akane is my niece, and I'm happy to help."
Mei let out a small sigh of relief. "Thank you, Hiiragi. You're always so dependable. I'll be home as soon as I can."
After hanging up, Hiiragi felt a pang of anxiety. He had promised to meet with Victor that evening, and he didn't want to cancel. The thought of asking Victor for help crossed his mind, but he wasn't sure how Victor would react. Would it be too much to ask? Would it be awkward?
But time was running short, and he didn't have many options. Taking a deep breath, Hiiragi picked up his phone and called Victor.
"Hiiragi! What's up?" Victor's voice was cheerful, as usual, bringing a small smile to Hiiragi's face.
"Victor-san, I'm so sorry to ask this, but I have a bit of a situation," Hiiragi began, trying to keep his tone steady. "My mother has an emergency at work, and I need to take care of Akane. I was wondering if you might be able to help… I understand if it's too much to ask."
There was a brief pause on the other end before Victor spoke, his voice warm and reassuring. "Of course, Hiiragi. I'd be happy to help. I can come over right away if you'd like."
Hiiragi felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Thank you, Victor-san. That means a lot to me."
"No problem at all," Victor replied. "Besides, I've missed that little munchkin. I'll be there soon."
True to his word, Victor arrived at Hiiragi's apartment within the hour. Akane greeted him with an excited squeal, her face lighting up as she ran over to him with her stuffed puppy clutched in her arms.
"Victor-san!" she exclaimed, jumping into his arms.
Victor chuckled, lifting her easily. "Hey, Akane-chan! Ready for some fun?"
Akane nodded enthusiastically, her pigtails bouncing as she grinned up at him.
Hiiragi watched the exchange with a mixture of gratitude and something else—a warmth in his chest that he couldn't quite identify. Victor seemed so natural with Akane, so at ease in his home, and it struck Hiiragi how lucky he was to have someone like Victor in his life. Someone who cared enough to step in when he needed it most.
"Thank you again, Victor-san," Hiiragi said, his voice soft as he met Victor's gaze. "I don't know what I would have done without you."
Victor smiled, his green eyes sparkling with a warmth that made Hiiragi's breath catch for just a moment. "You don't have to thank me, Hiiragi. I'm glad I can help."
Hiiragi's heart fluttered, a small, unfamiliar sensation that he quickly pushed aside. Now wasn't the time to dwell on such things. He had to focus on the task at hand.
"I'll be back as soon as I can," Hiiragi said, giving Victor a small, appreciative nod before turning to leave.
Victor watched Hiiragi go, a faint smile lingering on his lips. He couldn't deny that he felt something whenever Hiiragi was around—a pull, a connection that went beyond mere friendship. It was a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time, and it both excited and scared him.
As he settled down to play with Akane, Victor found himself thinking about Hiiragi more and more. He wondered what it would be like to spend more time with him, to see where this connection might lead. But he knew he had to be patient. Hiiragi was still guarded, and Victor didn't want to rush him. He was content to wait, to see how things would unfold naturally.
Meanwhile, Hiiragi hurried to the hospital to meet his mother. As he rode the bus, he found his thoughts drifting back to Victor. He still couldn't quite understand why Victor was so willing to help, why he seemed to care so much. Was it just his nature? Or was there something more?
Hiiragi shook his head, trying to clear his mind. He had more important things to focus on right now. But even as he tried to push those thoughts aside, he couldn't deny the small, nagging feeling in the back of his mind—the feeling that maybe, just maybe, Victor was becoming more important to him than he realized.
After the emergency at the hospital was resolved, Hiiragi returned home late in the evening. The lights in the apartment were dim, but the soft glow from Akane's room suggested she was already asleep. Hiiragi tiptoed quietly, not wanting to disturb her or Victor.
When he reached the living room, he found Victor sitting on the couch, a book in hand, with a contented expression on his face. He looked up as Hiiragi entered, a smile immediately spreading across his lips.
"Hey, welcome back," Victor greeted softly, careful not to wake Akane.
"Thank you, Victor-san. I'm sorry for making you stay so late," Hiiragi said, his voice equally quiet as he set down his bag and approached the couch.
Victor waved off the apology, closing the book and placing it on the coffee table. "No need to apologize. We had a great time, didn't we, Akane-chan?" he said, glancing toward Akane's room.
Hiiragi sat down beside Victor, feeling the warmth of the cushion where Victor had been sitting for hours. "I'm glad she wasn't too much trouble," he murmured, though he couldn't shake the feeling of guilt for burdening Victor.
Victor shook his head, leaning back into the couch. "Not at all. She's a sweetheart. We played, watched some cartoons, and she even taught me how to draw a puppy." He chuckled, his green eyes sparkling with amusement.
Hiiragi smiled, imagining Akane's enthusiastic lessons. He noticed the relaxed way Victor had settled into his home, how natural it seemed for him to be there, and the thought stirred something inside him—something he wasn't ready to acknowledge just yet.
Victor stretched his arms, trying to ease the stiffness in his muscles. "I think I'll head back to my place now. Don't want to overstay my welcome," he said with a playful grin.
Hiiragi quickly shook his head. "You're always welcome here, Victor-san. I… I mean that."
Victor's smile wavered as a flush crept up his neck, reaching his cheeks. His heart pounded in his chest, the sincerity in Hiiragi's voice causing emotions to well up inside him that he hadn't quite expected. He glanced down, trying to gather his thoughts, before looking back up with a bashful smile.
"Th-thanks, Hiiragi," Victor stammered, his voice softer than usual. He hesitated, feeling the weight of his emotions. "I… I really enjoyed tonight. Being around Akane, it just… it feels good. Really good."
The moment the words left his mouth, Victor felt a surge of panic. The intensity of his feelings threatened to overwhelm him, and he could feel his face burning. Without waiting for Hiiragi's response, Victor quickly rose from the couch, nearly knocking over the coffee table in his haste.
"I—uh—I should probably get going," Victor blurted out, his heart racing as he awkwardly fumbled for his bag. He couldn't bear to look Hiiragi in the eye, terrified that his feelings might be written all over his face.
Hiiragi blinked in surprise, taken aback by Victor's sudden shift in demeanor. "Victor-san, are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine!" Victor replied a little too quickly, his voice a pitch higher than usual. He slung his bag over his shoulder and practically bolted for the door. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
Before Hiiragi could say another word, Victor was already halfway out the door. He paused for just a split second, turning back with a sheepish smile. "Goodnight, Hiiragi," he said, his voice trembling with the remnants of his flustered state.
"Goodnight, Victor-san," Hiiragi responded, still processing the whirlwind of Victor's departure.
As soon as the door closed behind him, Victor leaned against the hallway wall, taking deep breaths to calm his racing heart. His cheeks were still burning, and he felt a strange mixture of embarrassment and exhilaration.
"I'm so in over my head," he muttered to himself, shaking his head with a dazed smile. But even as he berated himself for being so obvious, he couldn't help the warmth that spread through his chest at the thought of Hiiragi's words.
With one last glance at Hiiragi's door, Victor pushed off the wall and made his way down the hallway, his mind spinning with thoughts of the quiet, reserved boy who had somehow captured his heart.
Victor couldn't sleep that night. After practically fleeing from Hiiragi's apartment, he returned to his own, but his mind was far from calm. He tossed and turned, replaying the evening over and over in his head—the way Hiiragi had smiled at him, the warmth in his voice when he said Victor was always welcome. It was enough to send his thoughts into a tailspin.
Finally, giving up on sleep, Victor sat up in bed and grabbed his phone. He scrolled through the photos he'd taken that day—pictures of Akane with her stuffed puppy, the traditional tea set Hiiragi had shown him, and a few candid shots of Hiiragi himself, lost in thought as he watched Akane play.
Victor stared at the last photo for a long time. Hiiragi's soft expression, the gentle curve of his lips as he watched his niece, made Victor's chest tighten. It was a simple moment, but one that captured everything Victor was starting to feel.
"Why did I have to fall for him?" Victor whispered to himself, running a hand through his hair. He was in a foreign country, halfway around the world from home, and yet, here he was, smitten with a boy who was so different from anyone he'd ever known.
And yet, it felt so right.
Victor sighed, setting his phone down and leaning back against his pillows. He knew he was falling fast, maybe too fast. But there was something about Hiiragi—his quiet strength, his deep connection to his culture, and the way he cared for his family—that drew Victor in like a moth to a flame.
But there was also the reality that Hiiragi might not feel the same way. Victor could tell that Hiiragi was still guarded, still holding back. He knew it would take time for Hiiragi to trust him, to let him in. And Victor was willing to be patient, no matter how hard it was to keep his feelings in check.
"I just have to be careful," Victor told himself, closing his eyes. "Don't rush it. Just… let it happen."
Despite his resolve, sleep was slow to come. His thoughts kept drifting back to Hiiragi, to the way he felt when he was around him. It was something Victor hadn't felt in a long time, not since Clyde, and the memory of his past relationship made him even more determined not to mess things up this time.
But as the night wore on and his mind finally started to drift, Victor couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips. Because no matter how complicated things might get, he knew one thing for sure—he was already too far gone. And somehow, that didn't scare him at all.
Hiiragi stood in front of the bathroom mirror, brushing his teeth as the events of the evening played on a loop in his mind. He wasn't usually one to dwell on such things, but something about tonight lingered, like the faint scent of tea that clung to his clothes long after the ceremony had ended.
As he rinsed his mouth and set his toothbrush back in its holder, Hiiragi caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. His hair was slightly tousled from the day, and his eyes seemed a bit brighter, a little more alert than usual. He frowned, trying to pinpoint the source of this unfamiliar energy.
Victor.
The name came to him unbidden, and with it, a flood of memories from the evening. Victor's laughter as Akane tried to teach him how to fold an origami crane, the way his eyes lit up when he talked about his love for Japanese culture, and—Hiiragi swallowed—the way he looked in that moment when their hands accidentally brushed while reaching for the same cup.
Victor was handsome, Hiiragi couldn't deny that. The thought made his cheeks warm slightly, and he quickly looked away from his reflection, turning off the bathroom light as he walked back to his room. He told himself it was just an observation, nothing more. But as he pulled back the covers and climbed into bed, he found that it wasn't so easy to dismiss.
He remembered the way Victor had blushed earlier, a rare display of vulnerability from someone who usually exuded confidence. It had caught Hiiragi off guard, made him see Victor in a different light. There was something endearing about it, something that made Hiiragi's heart beat just a little faster.
Settling into bed, Hiiragi closed his eyes and tried to push the thoughts away. But they kept coming back—Victor's smile, his bright green eyes, the way he seemed genuinely interested in everything Hiiragi had to say. It was a kind of attention Hiiragi wasn't used to, and it made him feel… special.
Hiiragi shook his head slightly, trying to clear the thoughts. It was too soon to be thinking like this. They had only known each other for a short time, and there was no reason to start entertaining foolish ideas. But no matter how much he tried to reason with himself, the image of Victor lingered.
"Handsome…" Hiiragi whispered the word to himself, as if saying it out loud would somehow make it less real. But the truth was, he had noticed. He had noticed the way Victor's features softened when he smiled, the way his eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, and the way his presence made the room feel warmer, more alive.
A small part of Hiiragi, a part he tried to ignore, wondered what it would be like to see that smile every day, to have those green eyes look at him with the same warmth and sincerity. The thought was fleeting, but it left a mark, a tiny crack in the wall Hiiragi had carefully built around his heart.
With a sigh, Hiiragi rolled over and pulled the blanket up to his chin, forcing himself to focus on the rhythmic sound of his own breathing. He couldn't let these thoughts take root. He needed to stay focused, to keep his emotions in check. After all, they were just friends—nothing more, nothing less.
But as sleep finally began to pull him under, the last thing on Hiiragi's mind was the way Victor had looked at him tonight. And for the first time, he didn't try to push the thought away.