Misao returned to the living room and sat beside Saki on the sofa.
"This whole apartment is smaller than your old room..." Saki commented.
Misao shrugged his shoulders. "It doesn't matter. I'm the only one using this apartment. Besides, I don't have that kind of luxury anymore. So… what brought you here, Saki?"
Saki playfully raised his right brow. "Uhm? Do I need a reason to see you? You told me I can talk to you anytime."
Misao threw a quick glance at Toshiro, who was busy working on his assignment. "I know. It's fine with me but for sure your father will be angry if he finds out you're talking with me again."
Saki froze on his seat as he took a few seconds to observe Misao's face. Catching on his innocent and confused expression he asked, "Misao... You're really unaware?"
Misao's brows furrowed. "About?"
"My dad died 3 months ago. My brother's handling our businesses now."
"I... I didn't know." Misao averted his gaze. "I'm sorry for your loss, Saki."
"It's okay Misao. I'm okay." Saki smiled sadly. "I was sad and dumbfounded when I heard about it but when I think about it, we never really had any good memories together. He died without even accepting what I am.
"After he sent me to the UK, he cut off all my means of communication, he monitored my every move, he constantly reminded me that he'll disown me if he found out I'm having a relationship with a man. I lived in fear and self-pity. But every time I think of you, I know that you are more in pain than I do. What hurts me more is that I can't be beside you all this time. But what can I do? I was just a kid back then. A kid who's scared he'll lose his family." His eyes were so distant and empty.
"It's okay Saki. You don't have to blame yourself. We're both just powerless kids back then. But see? I'm fine now. You're fine. Let's just move on from the past, okay?"
Saki nodded and started crying.
Misao gently patted Saki on his back trying to calm him down, "It's okay. I'll get you more water."
Toshiro immediately turned his attention back to his work when he saw Misao get up from his seat. He tried not to eavesdrop but the serious atmosphere around them made him lose focus, though he wasn't really able to hear exactly what they're talking about. Despite that, Toshiro knew well enough that he's an outsider.
Toshiro froze when Misao stopped beside him. He bit his lower lip debating to himself if he should ask what happened, his chest pounding. "Misao?"
But the pounding abruptly stopped when he saw Misao forcing a smile. "Hm?"
At that tiny fraction of second, Toshiro knew that Misao was forcing himself. There was a sharp pain in his chest, as if his heart was being clenched.
"Ah… C-Can you help me with this problem?"
Misao leaned down to teach him.
***
"I WILL COME AGAIN."
Saki turned around smiling. He was about to leave and Misao and Toshiro saw him off by the gate.
"Please Saki. Next time tell me ahead of time if you're coming. Okay?"
Saki tilted his head slightly, "Hmmm…" Then he met Misao's eyes again, this time, with a big flirty smile across his pretty face. "Okay. I'll visit on your birthday. Let's celebrate it together. Okay?"
Misao sighed in defeat. Not because he found him annoying or bothersome, it's actually the other way around, in the back of his mind he missed him, their friendship. He's really happy to see Saki looked happy and cheerful, just like the Saki he used to know, despite all their hardships and childhood trauma. Misao strongly believes that Saki is a strong person.
"Can I even stop you?" Misao said, shaking his head, a small smirk playing on his thin lips.
"Of course not!" Saki chuckled, and then he patted Misao's shoulder. "So see you soon, Misao." He then glanced at Toshiro who's been watching them all this time. "Sorry Toshiro, I've bothered you both."
"It's totally fine Saki." They exchanged smiles.
Saki's attention returned to Misao. He stared at him for a good 5 seconds, his mind filled with questions and worry. "Is he… staying the night?"
Misao was caught off guard with Saki's question. For a second, he wanted to ask Saki what's going on inside his mind but instead he just glanced behind him to look at Toshiro.
Just from seeing his beloved's face and the idea of him staying over, his mind was suddenly flooded with thousands of different scenarios of them spending the night together, where every single one of them was a night filled with sweetness and warmth.
How nice would it be sleeping beside the person he loves, feeling his warmth all through the night, and his sleeping face the first thing he sees when the morning comes.
"If he wants to..." Misao shrugged but the way he looked at him showed clearly what he was thinking.
On the other hand, Toshiro's eyes widen at the sight of Misao hinting about his repressed desire.
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