Saka did not expect Vira to be standing right behind him.
Saka jumped, almost dropping the picture, and in his attempt to turn, twisted his leg and lost his balance.
Vira smiled, his eyes laughing, as he caught Saka, pulling him close to help him regain his balance.
Though it was an innocent action, the mild smell of soap and cologne, and proximity to Vira made Saka's heart race like crazy. His ears turned a bright pink as he pushed Vira away.
Vira looked surprised as he let Saka go. Had he done something wrong? Did he offend Saka by teasing him too much?
"Saka, I..." he started, but Saka cut him off.
"You smell too good. I feel self-conscious about being dirty. I'll go and wash up quickly."
With that, he scurried off to the bathroom.
Vira watched him run and broke into a smile. He felt relieved. For a second, he had been worried. Saka was cute. He put the photo back in its place and started reading a manga while waiting for Saka.
Saka stared at himself in the mirror. His heart was pounding, and his cheeks were pink. Thank goodness Vira hadn't noticed. It would have been very embarrassing.
He closed his eyes. The whole bathroom smelled of Vira. He stepped into the bathtub, closed his eyes, and relaxed.
As he got out of the bath, it occurred to him that he had forgotten his clothes.
In his panic, he had rushed inside without taking his clothes from his bag.
Now what should he do? He tied the towel around his waist and poked his head out.
"Sen Vira?" he called out in a small voice. He couldn't feel more embarrassed.
Vira looked up from his bed.
"Sen Vira, please could you pass me my bag? I forgot to take my clothes."
Vira felt the urge to tease Saka. He was surprised by his own naughtiness. Vira normally never went out of his way to talk to or tease people. He was quiet and reserved, and he only spoke with the few people he bonded with academically. Even with Mina, he usually listened or got dragged around.
So what about Saka made him react this way? He realized he wanted to tease him. Seeing Saka squirm gave him pleasure.
He started to move to get the bag, then changed his mind. "Come and get it yourself." He continued reading.
"Sen, don't joke. I don't have anything on."
"Why are you feeling so shy? We're both guys here." He still continued reading.
Saka gritted his teeth. Maybe Vira was angry with him for pushing him away when he had tried helping Saka regain his balance? Still, this was petty.
Blushing with each step, Saka walked to where the cupboard was, the piece of cloth around his waist protecting his modesty.
His hair was wet and combed back, with water droplets dripping around his neck.
He opened his bag, blocking it from Vira's view. He didn't want Vira to see his underwear. He glanced at Vira casually.
Vira still appeared to be engrossed in his manga.
He ran back to the bathroom to get changed.
Once Saka disappeared into the bathroom, Vira let out his breath.He had playfully denied helping him, just to see him shy, but when he saw Saka's back, a firm, well-sculpted frame, he forgot to breathe.
The water trickling down from his hair, down his neck, made him gulp. If he could only... Vira! Stop! What are you thinking?
He watched from the sides of his eyes, mesmerized by Saka's swift movements.
He felt himself going insane.
Saka wore his clothes and looked at himself. Did he look presentable? He was going to meet Vira's grandmother for the first time. Would she have a favorable impression of him?
Saka had never felt the need to be fashionable. He was quite happy with what he had. Sometimes he borrowed Laika's clothes if he felt the need to dress up. But coming to Vira's place made him question himself. Vira and Saka were like chalk and cheese, he realized.
He walked out, his dirty clothes rolled up and packed in a bag.
Vira looked up. "Done?"
Saka nodded. Vira took the bag from his hands and emptied its contents into a basket, along with his clothes. "They'll be washed tonight. You don't have to worry about washing," he explained.
"Sen?" Saka called out to him. Vira turned to look back.
"Hmm?"
"Are you angry with me?"
Vira looked surprised. "Why would I be angry with you?"
"I don't know," Saka replied in a small voice, "you might have been irritated that I pushed you away when you tried to help me. You smelled nice, it made me conscious of how I reeked of sweat." His voice trailed off into silence as he looked into Vira's face, trying to decipher his thoughts.
Obviously, he couldn't tell him the whole truth about the effect Vira had on his heart.
Vira's lips twitched. He walked closer to Saka. Saka involuntarily stepped back until he hit the wall, his heartbeat quickening.
"And if I said I was, what would you do about it?"
Vira was only a few centimeters away. Although he didn't touch Saka, Saka could almost feel the warmth radiating from Vira's body. He gulped.
"You pushed me away when I tried to help you. Then you dare to tempt me by walking around almost naked." His voice was soft and low. He had effectively blocked Saka's escape with his hands, but he wasn't touching Saka.
"So, what should I do now? How should I punish you?" Vira asked, his eyes locking onto Saka's.
Saka looked into those eyes and then at his lips before swallowing. Vira was too close. He felt dizzy from the speed at which his heart was racing. Vira was dangerous to him.
"I didn't mean for any of that to happen, sorry, Sen. What should I do?" Saka said, his voice slightly shaky. He gulped.
"Make it up to me tonight, after dinner," he whispered, leaning close to Saka's ear. "I'll tell you what to do."
Vira stepped back. He was shaking with laughter. Saka looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
His eyes were wide, his ears red. He pressed himself against the wall as if his life depended on it.
"What is he so scared of? Silly goose." Vira thought to himself.
Saka felt like he might collapse. Vira's words sank in. He was tempted by Saka. Saka blushed. Did that mean Vira was attracted to him? Tobi was right. He had told him that exposing his skin was one way to make Vira fall for him.
When Vira had said he was going to punish him, what did he mean?
Vira was at the doorway, waiting for Saka. Saka took a deep breath and walked forward.